Vugar Rasulov takes one-point lead into Kuqa final round

Vugar Rasulov takes a full-point lead into the final round of the 2026 Belt and Road International Chess Open Group A in Kuqa, Xinjiang. The Azerbaijani grandmaster has 6.5/8 with five wins and three draws.

Rasulov beat Zhao Chenxi in Round 8 to move one point clear of the chasing group.

He faces Gata Kamsky with Black in Tuesday’s final round. Kamsky and four Chinese players share second on 5.5/8, so a draw would guarantee Rasulov clear first.

The Kuqa run follows Rasulov’s unbeaten Burhaniye Open win last week.

Image: ChessEver.