FIDE World Cup: Nijat Abasov to face American GM

Azerbaijani chess player Nijat Abasov will face Fabiano Caruana (U.S.) in the match for the third place in FIDE World Cup 2023.

Former World Champion Magnus Carlsen qualified for his first-ever final of the Open World Cup tournament after drawing against Nijat Abasov, Azernews reports.

Note that Nijat Abasov reached his all-time-highest rating of 2670 and was ranked as No. 3 in Azerbaijan and No. 67 in the world in February, 2020.

In October 2019, Nijat earned 6.5 points (+2=9-0) in the FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament, finishing 15th out of 154 players.

In November, Abasov climbed to 93 in the world rankings and entered the FIDE Top 100 for the first time in his career.

In the Chess World Cup 2023, 69th seed Abasov caused an upset by defeating 5th seed Anish Giri in the third round.

The FIDE World Cup 2023 gathers around 206 players in the open section and 103 in the women's competition.

Azerbaijani team includes 17 chess players, including Shahriyar Mammadyarov, Teymur Rajabov, Gunay Mammadzade, Rauf Mammadov, Gadir Huseynov, Vasif Durarbayli, Nijat Abasov, Abdulla Gadimbayli, Misratdin Isgandarov, Muhammad Muradli, Vugar Asadli, Riad Samadov, Aydin Suleymanli, Ulviyya Fataliyeva, Gulnar Mammadova, Khanim Balajayeva, and Govhar Beydullayeva.

The top three players from both the open and women's sections will qualify for the first time in the Men Candidates Tournament and the Women Candidates Tournament of 2024.