Nodirbek Yakubboev is not the loudest name in chess, nor the one most often highlighted in headlines. But slowly, steadily, and with unmistakable force, the 23-year-old grandmaster from Tashkent, Uzbekistan is carving out a place among the world’s elite. His win in Game 1 of the 2025 FIDE World Cup Quarterfinals was another marker in a career built on discipline, resilience, and sharp calculation.
From Tashkent Prodigy to Triple National Champion
Born on January 23, 2002, Yakubboev rose through Uzbekistan’s competitive youth system quickly. By his mid-teens, he had already stamped his mark on the national stage, winning the Uzbekistani Chess Championship three times (2016, 2018, 2020). In 2019, he earned the grandmaster title, and by 2021 he had qualified for his first World Cup after a strong runner-up finish at the Zone 3.4 Zonal.
Those early years built the foundation for what would come next: a series of international breakthroughs that proved he belonged at the top.
A Breakout on the World Stage
Yakubboev’s rise accelerated in 2022, when he played second board for Uzbekistan at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai. The young Uzbek team shocked the chess world by winning the gold medal, and Yakubboev delivered eight points out of eleven with a 2759 performance—good for an individual bronze medal.
He followed it with a landmark victory at the Qatar Masters 2023, winning a playoff against compatriot Nodirbek Abdusattorov. In 2024, he added another major success by finishing first at the UzChess Cup Masters, overcoming the field despite being the lowest-rated participant.
By late 2025, his steady climb placed him at world #37, with a peak and current rating of 2689—numbers that would soon rise again.
A Controversy—and a Resolution
At the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Tournament, Yakubboev declined to shake hands with four female opponents, citing religious reasons. The incident sparked debate across the chess community, but Yakubboev later apologized directly to Vaishali Rameshbabu, stressing his respect for her as a player. The two resolved the situation amicably, and the conversation gradually shifted back to his play over the board.
World Cup 2025: The Moment He Drew First Blood
Fast forward to November 17, 2025. The first day of the World Cup quarterfinals produced three quiet draws—except for one board, where fire appeared early.
Facing Germany’s Alexander Donchenko, Yakubboev struck with the aggressive 3.f3 setup against the King’s Indian Defense, a move that immediately signals ambition. Donchenko, coming off a tiring tie-break the day before, drifted into trouble quickly. By move 20, his pieces were scattered, his queen and knight had already made too many moves, and the position collapsed.
Yakubboev didn’t hesitate. Tactical blows, clean conversions, and precise calculation carried him to the only decisive result of the round—a win that pushed him within half a point of the World Cup Semifinals.
Crossing 2700: A Major Milestone
That win also pushed him over the symbolic barrier many players chase for years:
Nodirbek Yakubboev reached a 2701 live rating, joining the unofficial but prestigious “2700 club.”
For a player known for his low-key demeanor and focused approach, it was a major personal milestone—and a message to the rest of the field.
A Style Built on Pressure and Precision
Yakubboev’s reputation is clear:
- Aggressive but not reckless
- Well-prepared, often deeply armed in opening ideas
- Resourceful in complications
- Deadly when opponents give him “half a chance”
When Donchenko overextended in the opening, Yakubboev pounced instantly. When opponents choose safety, he slowly squeezes them. This balance between sharpness and control is what makes him such a dangerous opponent in knockout events.
Looking Ahead
With one foot already in the semifinal, Yakubboev is closer than ever to securing a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. For a player who has climbed step by step—with no shortcuts, no hype, and no drama—this World Cup is more than a tournament. It is his chance to step fully into the global spotlight.
Uzbekistan already has one superstar in Nodirbek Abdusattorov. But if this World Cup continues the way it began, the world may soon be talking about another—Nodirbek Yakubboev, the quiet fighter who refuses to stop rising.
Watch FIDE World Cup 2025 quarterfinals live here
I’m a passionate board game enthusiast and a skilled player in chess, xiangqi and Go. Words for Attacking Chess since 2023. Ping me at Lichess for a game or chat.
