The second game began with an Italian, where Sindarov, playing with the Black pieces, opted for a solid setup with …Be7 and …d6. In the middlegame, however, it was White who adopted a more passive approach, allowing Black to arrange his rooks at active positions. Still with the only weakness in his camp – the c2-pawn – White comfortably maintained balance. Curiously, it was Sindarov who offered a draw at one point, which Wei Yi declined.
And then the time scramble began. Wei opened up the position with the objectively strong but double-edged pawn-push f3-f4, and it nearly worked for him as White emerged clearly better at some point.
Chinese GM did not find the precise 52.Qg6! which would have posed serious problems for Black after 52…Qxg6 53.hxg6 as his king trapped in the corner. Instead White played 52.g4? and it was equal again.
Sindarov played intelligently, creating practical problems for White, where a single misstep could tip the balance. Black’s rook duo on the first rank grew increasingly dangerous, while Wei Yi survived several critical moments by making moves with only one second left on the clock. But eventually time pressure took its toll, producing a decisive mistake from Wei Yi:
Black’s queen is preparing to infiltrate via 57…Qh4, and White must find the only move 57.Kg2 to stay alive. After 57…Qh4, White has 58.Rf8+! Kxf8 59.Qf3, forcing perpetual check, and Black cannot escape.
Instead, with a single second remaining, Wei Yi erred with 57.Rxd4?? Sindarov immediately jumped on the opportunity: 57…Qh4+ 58.Kf4 Re1 59.Qg2 Qg5+ 60.Kg3 Qe3+
Wei Yi extended his hand in resignation, and Sindarov happily accepted, prompting applause throughout the hall.
