Tashkent, Uzbekistan is poised to host a significant international chess event, the UzChess Cup, scheduled for June 2025. The tournament features a robust lineup across three distinct sections: Masters, Challengers, and Futures, attracting a diverse mix of top-ranked players, seasoned veterans, and promising talents from around the globe.
Masters Tournament: A Field of Elite Grandmasters
The premier Masters section showcases an exceptionally strong field. Leading the charge by rating are India`s Arjun Erigaisi (ranked 3rd globally at the time of the referenced rankings) and Uzbekistan`s own chess sensation, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (ranked 6th). These young stars are joined by a formidable contingent, including the highly-rated R. Praggnanandhaa of India, former World Championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi, Hungary`s dynamic Richard Rapport, and India`s Chithambaram Aravindh Vr.
Uzbekistan`s talent pool is further represented by Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, and Shamsiddin Vokhidov in the Masters section. With seven participants boasting an Elo rating over 2700, this section promises intense strategic battles and high-stakes competition.
Challengers: A Mix of Experience and Rising Stars
Following a model popularized by major international tournaments like the Tata Steel event, the UzChess Cup includes a Challengers tournament. This section is designed to provide competitive opportunities for players aiming to break into the top ranks or make a comeback.
The Challengers features Ukrainian chess legend Vassily Ivanchuk as its top seed. The field also includes players like China`s Ma Qun, Greece`s Nikolas Theodorou, and Azerbaijan`s Nijat Abasov. A notable participant is Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova, the sole female player in this section, who is returning to represent her native Uzbekistan after previously competing for the U.S. Chess Federation. The Challengers section offers an intriguing blend of styles and generations.
Futures: Prospects and Veteran Prowess
The third section, the Futures tournament, provides a platform not only for young prospects but also for experienced grandmasters seeking to demonstrate their enduring skill. Argentina`s Alan Pichot, aged 27, is the top seed in this group. He is followed by 40-year-old Evgeny Alekseev, representing Israel, a veteran known for his participation in the Russian Championship circuit and a former champion in 2006.
This section also includes players from Turkmenistan (Saparmyrat Atabayev), Hungary (Robert Ruck), and Denmark (Boris Chatalbashev), alongside several more Uzbek players like Abdimalik Abdisalimov, Ortik Nigmatov, Khumoyun Begmuratov, and Saidakbar Saydaliev. The Futures group is set to be a compelling display of both emerging talent and experienced tactical minds.
Tournament Schedule
The UzChess Cup is scheduled to unfold over nine rounds of classical chess from June 19th to June 27th, 2025, with rounds typically commencing in the early afternoon local time.
With its multi-tiered structure and a concentration of both global elite and local talent, the UzChess Cup in Tashkent is anticipated to be a highlight on the 2025 international chess calendar, reflecting Uzbekistan`s growing stature in the chess world.
Gilbert Pendleton 
Marcus Blakely