3 min learnJun 9, 2026 11:32 PM IST
A loss to in a single day chief Mukhiddin Madaminov put him, India No. 1 Arjun Erigaisi and Uzbek No. 1 Nodirbek Abdusattorov in a three-way lead after the latter two drew their respective third-round video games within the UzChess Cup 2026 Masters occasion in Tashkent on Tuesday.
After a frenetic second spherical that noticed all 5 video games produce decisive outcomes, the third spherical introduced again normalcy with 4 video games ending in attracts whereas solely a solitary recreation threw up a end result.
Arjun performed out a relaxed draw towards the skilled Azerbaijani Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Each gamers performed with almost 99 % accuracy in a Queen’s Gambit Declined recreation that noticed a rush of exchanges all through. After enjoying a virtually good theoretical recreation, the gamers ended the competition in a threefold repetition draw after 41 strikes.
Vidit Gujrathi, the opposite Indian within the occasion, lastly stopped the bleeding after two consecutive losses and opened his account with half some extent, drawing his third spherical conflict towards the highest-rated participant of the occasion, Abdusattorov.
Vidit got here with a transparent intention to play protected and eventually put an finish to his dropping streak. This recreation too noticed each gamers register accuracy over 98 %, giving no actual breaks to one another. They mutually determined to finish the sport on the thirty first transfer after finishing the necessary 30 strikes required earlier than a draw may be provided.
Madaminov, Javokhir Sindarov’s second and the bottom rated participant of the occasion, who had lit up the stage with two back-to-back wins over Ian Nepomniachtchi and Nikolas Theodorou, misplaced to compatriot Shamsiddin Vokhidov. For Vokhidov, it was a comeback win after he misplaced his earlier spherical to the flamboyant American Hans Niemann.
Niemann shared the spoils with Nodirbek Yakubboev, whereas the sport between Nepomniachtchi and Theodorou additionally led to an uneventful draw.
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Madaminov, Arjun and Abdusattorov are in joint lead with two factors every. The chasing pack contains as many as 5 gamers on 1.5 factors. Yakubboev is in ninth place with one level, whereas Vidit stays on the backside with 0.5 factors from three rounds.
It is going to be an all-Indian affair between Arjun and Vidit within the fourth spherical on Wednesday.
UzChess Cup 2026 – Masters Leaderboard after third spherical
1. Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) – 2
2. Arjun Erigaisi (IND) – 2
3. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) – 2
4. Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) – 1.5
5. Hans Moke Niemann (USA) – 1.5
6. Ian Nepomniachtchi (RUS) – 1.5
7. Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) – 1.5
8. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE) – 1.5
9. Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) – 1
10. Vidit Gujrathi (IND) – 0.5