KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi has always been a happy place for Nodirbek Yakubboev ever since he managed a second-place finish on his first visit to the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in 2019.
Now in its 30th edition, where organisers Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games rolled out the red carpet for the players in many ways and also doubled the prize money to $30,000 for the winner, the strapping 22-year-old from Uzbekistan took the bumper cheque after nine rounds in the Masters category.
“It feels great because I come here [in Abu Dhabi] around three times a year as part of training camps and participation in events. This time the organisers even allowed my family to join me and so it was nice to win the tournament at a place like my second home,” said Yakubboev, in a conversation with Aletihad.
He had a bit of luck in his favour as many of those in title contention failed to find a win while he drew with another young prospect in chess, India’s Leon Luke Mendonca at 18 years old.
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“Four of us had a chance at 6.5 points,” said Mendonca, “while there were quite a bunch of others on 6. Even if we had all drawn and somebody won from that second group, tie-breakers may have decided the winner. My position in that case was always weak, so I went aggressive.”
Mendonca’s aggressive start put Yakubboev in trouble. “My opening was not good,” the Uzbek conceded. “And then I think I fought well but got into a bit of time pressure so the draw was best for me.”
Yakubboev finished his game quickly and watched nervously on the other table where compatriot Shamsiddin Vokhidov had started strongly against his opponent Amin Tabatabaei of Iran.
Much to the quiet delight of Yakubboev, Vokhidov faltered in the middle game and had to settle for a draw.
Vokhidov’s lapse cost him one more place as he finished third behind David Parayvan of Russia, playing under the flag of the world chess body FIDE.
Luck plays a big part in such moments, admitted Mendonca. “I went all out and succeeded initially with gaining two pawns in material advantage. But I was relying on one move from my opponent to make this work completely; it did not happen and so it fizzled out,” said the Indian, playing with white.
This was the year’s second title for Yakubboev after winning his home event, the UzChess Cup, in June. Vokhidov won the Challengers title in the same event.