INTERNATIONAL Master (IM) Rodwell Makoto of Zimbabwe saw his World Cup dreams cut short after his second defeat to Azerbaijani Grandmaster Nijat Abasov in the FIDE Chess World Cup currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Wielding white pieces in his second encounter with Abasov, Makoto opened with a well-regarded Nf3 but found himself struggling as the game unfolded.
The Zimbabwean ace lost control of the centre and was forced on the defensive, with Abasov leveraging the situation to launch unyielding attacks from this central stronghold.
Unable to regain central control or the initiative, Makoto found himself two pawns down and in a challenging position that only worsened as the game proceeded.
The Zimbabwean International Master’s strategy seemed reliant on a potential blunder from his opponent, which, unfortunately for Makoto, did not come. His performance mirrored his previous World Cup campaign, where he was criticised for not putting up much resistance, and his passive play led to an early exit.
The back-to-back losses to Abasov mark the end of the line for Makoto in this year’s World Cup. His journey now complete, Abasov moves forward to the next round, leaving Makoto with lessons learned and experiences to reflect on.
Despite his early exit, Makoto’s participation has paved the way for future Zimbabwean chess talents, highlighting the strategic approach necessary to compete at the highest level. The lessons from his World Cup campaign will undoubtedly serve as invaluable learning opportunities for his successors.
Makoto’s World Cup departure is a stark reminder of the intense competition in global chess.
