Vokhidov is running hot in Tashkent. The 24-year-old Uzbek grandmaster picked up his third straight win in round five, this time against Nepomniachtchi with the white pieces, and now sits alone atop the UzChess Cup at 3½/5.
This isn't a fluke. Vokhidov earned the half-point lead through clean chess, not opponent collapses. Nepomniachtchi came in as one of the tournament favorites, but Vokhidov outplayed him. The margin is narrow, though. Abdusattorov, Erigaisi, and Madaminov all trail by just half a point at 3/5.
Madaminov kept pace with a sharp victory over Mamedyarov in the same round, playing black and converting decisively. The field remains bunched, which means the remaining rounds will determine everything.
Vokhidov's consecutive wins matter more than the math suggests. Winning streaks in tournaments breed confidence and momentum. He's not just ahead on points. He's playing with precision. Whether he can maintain this form against stronger opposition in the final rounds will test whether he's genuinely in a new tier or riding a hot hand. The tournament structure suggests he'll face the other leaders soon enough.