UzChess Round 4: Vidit Draws With Arjun, Rejoins Elite 2700 Club

For Vidit Gujrathi , Round 4 of the UzChess Cup 2026 was about much more than a half-point. The Indian Grandmaster's draw against compatriot Arjun Erigaisi helped him claw his way back into the prestigious 2700-plus live rating club , one of the most exclusive groups in world chess.

Vidit began the tournament with a live rating of 2708 , but consecutive defeats to Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in Round 1 and Ian Nepomniachtchi in Round 2 saw him slip below the coveted barrier and fall to approximately 2698 . Since then, the Indian Grandmaster has steadied his campaign. Draws against top seed Nodirbek Abdusattorov in Round 3 and against Arjun in Round 4 helped him recover the lost ground. Following Wednesday's result, his live rating climbed back to around 2700.1 , restoring his membership in the elite 2700 club.

The all-Indian encounter itself ended peacefully after a well-contested battle. While the result denied Arjun a chance to move into sole possession of the lead, it kept him firmly among the frontrunners heading into the second half of the tournament.

Elsewhere, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Nodirbek Abdusattorov also shared the point in a closely fought encounter. The round, however, was not short of decisive action. Nodirbek Yakubboev defeated Mukhiddin Madaminov , handing one of the tournament's early surprise packages a setback after his impressive start. Meanwhile, Shamsiddin Vokhidov overcame Nikolas Theodorou , a victory that propelled the Uzbek grandmaster into a share of the lead.

The standings after four rounds underline just how competitive the tournament has become. Shamsiddin Vokhidov, Arjun Erigaisi and Nodirbek Abdusattorov share the lead on 2.5 points , while Nodirbek Yakubboev, Hans Niemann, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Mukhiddin Madaminov remain only half a point behind on 2 points . Even Nikolas Theodorou and Vidit Gujrathi remain within striking distance with five rounds still to be played.

That competitive balance is turning the UzChess Cup into one of the most intriguing tournaments of the year. None of the pre-tournament favourites have managed to establish a clear advantage, while lower-rated players such as Vokhidov and Madaminov have repeatedly challenged the elite grandmasters. With the leaderboard so tightly packed, a single victory can propel a player from the middle of the standings into the lead.

For Indian fans, however, Round 4 offered a significant milestone. While Arjun maintained his place among the leaders and strengthened his title hopes, Vidit's hard-earned draw completed a remarkable short-term recovery, lifting him back into the game's elite rating bracket and providing a timely boost ahead of the tournament's decisive rounds.