GM Nodirbek Yakubboev and WIM Umida Omonova are the newly crowned champions of Uzbekistan.
The 2025 Uzbekistan Championship, featuring Open and Women’s categories and a total prize fund of USD 66,000, took place at the International Chess School in the Kyzyltepa district of the Navoi region from April 18–28. Both competitions were 16-player knockout tournaments with classical time control.
Top seed Nodirbek Yakubboev (2665) lived up to expectations, advancing to the final after eliminating Azizbek Kuvvatov, Khumoyun Begmuratov (after a rapid tiebreak), and Mukhiddin Madaminov.
In the bottom half of the draw, a surprise unfolded: second seed GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2648), the only other player rated over 2600, was knocked out in the quarterfinals by IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov. Suyarov, in turn, fell to Ortik Nigmatov in the semifinals. As a result, Yakubboev and Nigmatov met in the final.
After a quick draw in the first game, Nodirbek won the second game with the white pieces to clinch the title. In the match for third place, Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov prevailed over Mukhiddin Madaminov in a grueling tiebreaker.
The women’s event also produced a major upset, as top seed Afruza Khamdamova (2326) was defeated by Nodira Nadirjanova—rated nearly 200 Elo points lower—in the semifinals. Meanwhile, in the other half of the draw, Umida Omonova reached the final, battling past Makhim Orazmukhammedova, Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva, and Marjona Malikova.
In the final match between Omonova and Nadirjanova, Umida quickly seized the lead, winning the first game with the black pieces. She achieved a winning position in the second game but opted for a draw, securing the championship title.
In the third-place match, Khamdamova defeated Malikova to take the bronze medal.
