After a dramatic time scramble in Game 3, Alireza Firouzja now leads the match. That means it’s do-or-die for Nodirbek Abdusattorov in Game 4. Only a win will keep his hopes alive and take us to Armageddon. Anything less, and Alireza books his ticket to the semifinals of the Esports World Cup 2025.
Alireza needs just a draw, and given his form and speed, he’ll be confident. But Nodirbek has shown resilience and firepower before - can he strike back under pressure?
Nodirbek reinforces his c-pawn while simultaneously grabbing space on the queenside.
Alireza challenges Nodirbek’s queenside pawn structure, aiming to create imbalances and test the integrity of his opponent’s setup.
King Safely 🏰
Abdusattorov quickly gets his king to safety with kingside castling, showing he's ready for a sharp middlegame ahead.
So far, so good - both the position and the clocks remain evenly balanced!
With this queen move, Nodirbek targets Alireza’s kingside pawn.
Though the position is objectively equal, it remains full of energy and potential. In this must-win game, Nodirbek will be looking to stir up complications and carve out his chances!
Nodirbek is turning up the heat - pressuring both Alireza’s position and his dwindling clock. This is exactly what he needs in a must-win game!
Nodirbek is gradually gaining momentum - holding a slight edge on the board and an extra minute on the clock. Every move now adds to the pressure on Alireza.
A costly mistake by Nodirbek - he lets go of his advantage, and just like that, the position evens out again. Alireza is back in the game!
We’ve entered a fascinating endgame - Queen vs Rook, Knight, and Pawn! While the eval bar calls it even, this kind of imbalance is notoriously tricky to navigate, especially with the clock ticking down. One misstep could change everything!
It’s a Race Against Time! The board may be balanced, but with tension mounting, it’s all about nerves and speed on the clock now!
Nodirbek holds a crucial one-minute edge on the clock - a massive asset in this no-increment format, where every second matters and time pressure can decide the game!
Nodirbek flips the script - he’s now the one pressing on the clock in a dead-even position, trying to flag Alireza just like Alireza did to him in Game 3!
Oh no! A costly pre-move blunder by Nodirbek as he hands over his rook - absolutely heartbreaking in such a critical moment!
What an ending to a thrilling quarterfinal clash! Alireza Firouzja secures victory in Game 4 and books his ticket to the Esports World Cup 2025 Semifinals, while Nodirbek Abdusattorov’s journey comes to a heartbreaking end.
Game 4 was intense and balanced for most of the battle, with Nodirbek looking poised to flag Alireza - a mirror of what happened to him in Game 3. But just when it seemed we were headed for Armageddon, disaster struck: a pre-move blunder by Nodirbek dropped a full rook, instantly turning the game and match in Firouzja’s favor.
A brutal finish for Nodirbek, who fought valiantly throughout. Alireza survives the storm and marches on - cold, sharp, and clutch under pressure. What a match!