Player Profile: Nodirbek Abdusattorov

Full Name: Nodirbek Abdusattorov

Peak FIDE Rating: 2783 (October 2024)

Active Since: 2008

Federation: Uzbekistan

Player Description:

Only a handful of mortals can say they've beaten Magnus Carlsen. Even fewer can claim to hand him back-to-back losses. Enter Nodirbek Abdusattorov - the teenager who looked at the World Champion, shrugged, and said, “Let’s make it two.” If that doesn’t tell you what kind of player we’re dealing with, buckle up.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov, from Uzbekistan, has been turning heads in the chess world since his early teens. He became a GM at just 13 years and a month old which was a clear sign of things to come. 

By 2024, he had cracked the world’s top 10, climbing as high as No. 4 and becoming the highest-rated player in Uzbek history. His breakout moment came in 2021 when, at 17, he stunned the field to win the World Rapid Championship by becoming the youngest ever to claim the title and dethroning Magnus Carlsen’s record in the process. The following year, Abdusattorov led Uzbekistan to a historic team gold at the Chess Olympiad, delivering a stellar 8.5/11 performance on board one and picking up an individual silver medal along the way. 

With his cool head under pressure and relentless competitive drive, even Carlsen has praised his mentality and grit.

Career Scorecard:

Games played - 2127 - (W-D-L | 1017 - 661 - 449)

Games Played as White - 1057 - (W-D-L | 543 - 303 - 211)

Games Played as Black - 1070 - (W-D-L | 474 - 358 - 238)

World Championship Cycle Appearances:

FIDE World Cup 2021, 2023

FIDE Grand Swiss 2023 

FIDE World Rapid Championship 2021

Chess World Cup 2023

National Championships:

Tashkent Championship 2009, 2010 - Champion 

Uzbekistan Championship 2011, 2014 - Champion 

Uzbekistan Men Championship 2015 (U/12) - Champion

Uzbekistan Men Championship 2015 - Champion

Uzbekistan Championship 2019 - Medal Winner

Olympiad Medals:

Chess Olympiad 2022, Chennai →  Team - Gold | Individual - Silver (Board1) 

World Youth U-16 Olympiad 2018 → Team Gold 

Tournaments Won:

1. World Youth Championships - World U-8 Champion (2012)

2. Asian Youth Championship 2014 (Tashkent) - Asian U-10 Champion

3. Sharjah Masters 2022 (UAE) -  Champion

4. El Llobregat Open 2021 (Spain) - Tied for 1st Place

5. Sitges Open 2021 (Spain)

6. Prague International Chess Festival – Masters 2023 - Champion

7. Champions Chess Tour 2023 (ChessKid Cup) - Winner

8. World Rapid Chess Championship 2021 (Warsaw)

Memorable Games:

Magnus Carlsen vs Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Tata Steel Masters 2023: 

At the 2023 Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, Nodirbek Abdusattorov made a statement loud enough for the whole chess world to hear. Facing Magnus Carlsen in their very first classical matchup, the 18-year-old didn’t flinch, he played Black, held his nerve, and calmly dismantled the World Champion in a Queen’s Gambit endgame. The win marked Carlsen’s second straight loss, something that hadn’t happened to him in classical chess in nearly a decade. For Abdusattorov, it wasn’t just a big scalp - it was a breakout performance that vaulted him into the tournament lead and solidified his status as a serious force among the elite.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs Gukesh D, Chess Olympiad 2022 (India-2 vs Uzbekistan)

Nodirbek Abdusattorov led Uzbekistan on board one, facing India’s Dommaraju Gukesh in a match that would decide the fate of the gold. Playing with the white pieces, Abdusattorov took the initiative in a sharp middlegame, giving up material to ignite a powerful kingside attack. That vital win helped Uzbekistan secure a 2-2 draw in the match, just enough to edge out the competition and bring home their first Olympiad gold on tiebreaks.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, World Rapid Championship 2021 (Playoff)

The 2021 World Rapid Championship came down to a playoff, and standing center stage was 17-year-old Nodirbek Abdusattorov. After finishing tied at the top of the standings, he went head-to-head with Ian Nepomniachtchi in a tense two-game finale. Abdusattorov struck first, winning the opener with sharp play in the middlegame and cool precision in the endgame. A solid draw in the second game to seal the deal.