The FIDE World Cup semifinals turned into a strategic affair of caution as Wei Yi of China and Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan both agreed to risk-free draws on Saturday. Despite Wei Yi's efforts with the white pieces, Russia's Andrey Esipenko's defense proved impenetrable.

In the other semifinal, the trend of drawing persisted as Sindarov sealed a place in the tiebreaks against fellow Uzbek Nodirbek Yakubboev. Quick exchanges and non-combative strategies contributed to an eventless endgame.

While three out of the four players are set for the Candidates tournament in Cyprus come March 2026, Yakubboev remains the underdog with a challenging path forward. The stage now shifts to the tiebreaks to decide who advances.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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