Touch-Move Disaster for Abdusattorov as UzChess Cup Final Round Heats Up

by Devansh Singh - 15/06/2026

UzChess Cup Masters 2026 is heading towards an exciting finish. In the penultimate round, Ian Nepomniachtchi defeated Hans Niemann with white pieces, and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov won against Nodirbek Yakubboev. There was a tragic incident involving Nodirbek Abdusattorov, where he had a blind spot and touched his king while his rook was under attack. He immediately resigned after that move against Nikolas Theodorou. Mukhiddin Madaminov and Shamsiddin Vokhidov are still in joint lead with 5/8 points. The final round starts today at 11:30 IST. Photo: UzChess Cup

Who is going to win Uzchess 2026?

After 8 rounds of play at UzChess Masters, the tournament is still open, and it is anyone's to grab. Mukhiddin Madaminov and Shamsiddin Vokhidov are currently co-leading with 5/8 points, while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Ian Nepomniachtchi, who will play the final round against each other, are trailing behind with just a half point. Madaminov is going to face Hans, while Vokhidov will play against Abdusattorov.

Is it going to be Madaminov?

Or Vokhidov??

Or we are going to see some big turnaround in the last round.......?

Check out the Games

Now we bring you all the action of Round 6

Puzzle of the Day

A tricky position before we look at the games. Hans is playing with the black pieces, just moved 30...Kc8 and the white knight look trapped, but can you find the winning idea for white??

White to play, gain an advantage

Ian Nepomniachtchi vs. Hans Niemann

This game was a perfect example of how preparation works in chess. The game started with both sides having 90 minutes on the clock and for 40 moves, Nepo's time never came down under 90 minutes, as he told in a post-match interview that this was his prep for the World Championship match against Carlsen in 2021.

Ian Nepomniachtchi vs. Hans Niemann (1-0)

Check out the game with commentary by IM Sagar Shah

Check out some behind-the-scenes footage of this intense game, and a special interview with Ian Nepomniachtchi afterwards.

Nikolas Theodorou vs. Nodirbek Abdusattorov

It was a completely equal endgame with opposite-coloured bishops and rook, and then Abdusattorov did the unimaginable, he touched his king when his rook was under attack, and as there is a simple rule in chess, "touch to play", he had to move the king, which loses the rook and the game.

Theodorou just played 49.Kg3 attacking the rook on f2 and in momentum, Abdusattorov held his king.

Check out the intense final moments of the game between Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Nikolas Theodorou

Nikolas Theodorou vs. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (1-0)

Mukhiddin Madaminov vs. Arjun Erigaisi

Mukhiddin Madaminov is in great form as he is co-leading with Vokhidov. In this tournament, he has already defeated three 2700+ rated players. Arjun was about to be added to that list as Madaminov had a completely winning position against him, but Arjun's resilience saved him from this defeat.

Mukhiddin Madaminov vs. Arjun Erigaisi (0.5-0.5)

Check out the final moments

In a game filled with ups and downs, Shakriyar Mamedyariv defeated Nodirbek Yakubboev to get into second place

Shamsiddin Vokhidov vs. Vidit Gujrathi (0.5-0.5)

Replay the Masters Games of Round 8

Standings of Masters

Standings after Round 8

Results of Round 8

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	10	2733	GM	Nepomniachtchi, Ian	1 - 0	GM	Niemann, Hans Moke	2742	9	PGN
2	1	2586	GM	Madaminov, Mukhiddin	½ - ½	GM	Erigaisi, Arjun	2761	8	PGN
3	2	2634	GM	Theodorou, Nikolas	1 - 0	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	2777	7	PGN
4	3	2637	GM	Vokhidov, Shamsiddin	½ - ½	GM	Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi	2708	6	PGN
5	4	2689	GM	Yakubboev, Nodirbek	0 - 1	GM	Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	2717	5	PGN

Details

Round 9 Pairing

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	5	2717	GM	Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar		GM	Nepomniachtchi, Ian	2733	10
2	6	2708	GM	Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi		GM	Yakubboev, Nodirbek	2689	4
3	7	2777	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek		GM	Vokhidov, Shamsiddin	2637	3
4	8	2761	GM	Erigaisi, Arjun		GM	Theodorou, Nikolas	2634	2
5	9	2742	GM	Niemann, Hans Moke		GM	Madaminov, Mukhiddin	2586	1

Details

Photo Gallery: ChessBase India, Official Photos

Video Gallery: Here

Arjun Erigaisi vs Hans Niemann, Round 7 | Check out the game along with commentary by IM Sagar Shah.

Watch this very interesting game in full as Vidit scores his first win of the tournament - with IM Sagar Shah's commentary!

Line Up

Lineup of Masters

Lineup of Challengers

Venue: Crowne Plaza

UzChess Cup 2026 is hosted in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a modern playing hall in the heart of Central Asia's fastest-growing chess nation. The venue sits minutes from the city centre, with comfortable spectator seating, a live commentary studio, and dedicated press facilities.