Russia and Kazakhstan Stay Perfect in Both Sections at Asian Nations Chess Cup

Russia and Kazakhstan Stay Perfect in Both Sections at Asian Nations Chess Cup

12 November 2026

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 12 November 2026 — Russia and Kazakhstan won their second consecutive matches in both sections of the Asian Nations Chess Cup 2026 on 11 November at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. India and China also stayed perfect in the men’s competition, while Russia edged China in a key women’s match.

Men’s championship

GM Pranesh M scored the only win in India’s 2½–1½ victory over Uzbekistan, defeating FM Abdumajid Botiraliev on board three. China won by the same margin against Malaysia, with GM Peng Xiongjian’s victory over FM Wong Yinn Long on board three settling the match.

GM Salem A. R. Saleh beat GM Andrey Esipenko on the top board for the United Arab Emirates 1. Russia took the other three boards through GMs Daniil Dubov, Aleksey Grebnev and Ivan Zemlyanskii to win 3–1. Kazakhstan matched that score against Sri Lanka, with wins from GMs Denis Makhnev and Zhandos Agmanov.

Russia, Kazakhstan, India and China each have four match points. Russia and Kazakhstan have seven board points apiece, half a point ahead of India and China on that measure. Syria and Mongolia drew 2–2 and sit one match point behind the leading group.

Men’s Round 2 results

Team

Score

Team

Uzbekistan

1½–2½

India

Russia

3–1

United Arab Emirates 1

Malaysia

1½–2½

China

Kazakhstan

3–1

Sri Lanka

Syria

2–2

Mongolia

Lebanon

3–1

Palestine

United Arab Emirates 3

1–3

Nepal

New Zealand

3–1

Oman

Bahrain

2–2

United Arab Emirates 2

Pakistan

4–0

Hong Kong, China

Afghanistan was listed as unpaired. Board results · Standings after Round 2

Women’s championship

IMs Polina Shuvalova and Anna Shukhman won on boards two and four as Russia defeated China 2½–1½. GM Kateryna Lagno drew with IM Lu Miaoyi on the top board, and WIM Yan Tianqi scored China’s win on board three.

Kazakhstan beat Uzbekistan 3–1 on wins by IM Meruert Kamalidenova and WIM Elnaz Kaliakhmet. Russia and Kazakhstan share the lead on four match points, with Russia ahead on board points, 6½ to 6.

Mongolia held India to 2–2. IM Vantika Agrawal won on board one for India, and WFM Khuslen Erdenebayar won on board four for Mongolia. Both teams have three match points. United Arab Emirates A beat United Arab Emirates B 3½–½, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan 3–1, and New Zealand swept United Arab Emirates C (Abu Dhabi) 4–0.

China-Russia-R2-Ancc2026.jpg

Women’s Round 2 results

Team

Score

Team

China

1½–2½

Russia

Kazakhstan

3–1

Uzbekistan

Mongolia

2–2

India

United Arab Emirates A

3½–½

United Arab Emirates B

Pakistan

1–3

Sri Lanka

New Zealand

4–0

United Arab Emirates C (Abu Dhabi)

Board results · Standings after Round 2

Next rounds and coverage

The men’s schedule has two rounds on 12 November, at 10:00 and 18:00. The women resume with Round 3 at 15:00 on 13 November. All times are local to Abu Dhabi (UTC+4).

Round 2 photo album · Live games on Chess.com · Official tournament website

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