4 October 2019

Teimour Radjabov Wins FIDE World Cup

The event finished in Khanty-Mansiysk.


Tie-breaks of the FIDE World Cup Final and 3rd place match were played on October 4 in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Teimour Radjabov had White in the first rapid game. An advantage passed from one player to another a few times, yet the game ended in a draw. The second game took a calmer course and also ended peacefully.

In the first 10-minute game Radjabov got an advantage as Black, but Ding Liren managed to survive. The second 10-minute game also ended in a draw.

In the first blitz game Radjabov, playing Black, outplayed his opponent in a minor piece ending. In the return game the Chinese grandmaster tried to mount a comeback, but was eventually defeated as well.

Thus, the score in the Final is 6-4 in favour of Teimour Radjabov, and he becomes the winner of the 2019 FIDE World Cup.

In the 3rd place match, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave celebrated a convincing victory in the first game, playing White. The Chinese player was unable to alter the course of the match in the second game, losing as White in 24 moves. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave wins the bronze of the World Cup.

In an interview afterwards, the Frenchman said he is very happy about his play in the rapid games. He is planning to get some rest, and will play the 3rd leg of the FIDE Grand Prix in November.



The closing ceremony of the FIDE World Cup began with performances of local artists, who developed the theme of opposition of white and black kings, introduced at the opening ceremony. Svyatoslav Pastukhov, drummer, composer, laureate of all-Russian music competitions, Black and White vocal duo, and artists of the Otdykhai theatre studio performed on stage for the participants and tournament guests.

Before the main prize-giving ceremony, Mark Glukhovsky, Executive Director of the Chess Federation of Russia, announced the winner of the Brilliancy Prize, provided by Russian Chess Federation in cooperation with AB InBev Efes.

We remind you that a jury led by Maxim Notkin, Chief Editor of 64-Chess Review, made shortlists of 4-5 most exciting games after the rounds 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6. After that, an online poll was created and announced on the official site of the event and social media. The candidate games of the main and consolation finals were nominated by the jury.

The final shortlist consisted of four games: Firouzja - Dubov, Xiong - Duda, Radjabov - Vachier-Lagrave, and Ding Liren - Radjabov.

The experts awarded the Brilliancy Prize to Ding Liren for his victory vs. Radjabov. The Chinese grandmaster received an elegant trophy.

The award ceremony was attended by Alexander Tirtoka, Deputy Governor of Ugra, and Mahir Mammedov, FIDE Vice-President.



Both finalists of the World Cup secured spots in the Candidates Tournament, which will takes place in the spring 2020 in Yekaterinburg. According to the regulations, the 3rd place finisher of the World Cup can also be included in the Candidates Tournament, if nominated by the organizer.

Total prize fund of the FIDE World Cup is $1,600,000. The winner received $110,000, the runner-up got $80,000.

The competition is organized by the Government of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra, International Chess Federation (FIDE), Ugra Chess Federation, and Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation.

General partner – Gazpromneft-Khantos LCC.

Official airline – Utair.

Official partners of the competition: OJSC Rostelecom, Ugra Chess Academy, Russian Chess Federation, AB InBev Efes and PJSC Rosneft.

FIDE official partner – JSCo “RZD”.

General media partner – News Agency TASS.

Official website

Photos by Kirill Merkuryev