On Monday, Javokhir Sindarov encountered what he described as an ‘emergency problem’ regarding his Counter Strike 2 account, prompting him to seek assistance on X. The young Uzbek talent, who is poised for a significant chess challenge in six months against D Gukesh, often finds his passion for Counter Strike vying for his attention alongside his chess pursuits.
“Everyone in chess should be more professional than me,” Sindarov remarked during an interview with Indian media in Oslo on Tuesday, a broad smile illuminating his face. “When I faced issues with my account yesterday, perhaps it was a sign for me to concentrate more on chess.”
The 20-year-old is currently in Oslo to support Bibisara Assaubayeva, yet discussions frequently veer towards Counter Strike instead of chess.
Sindarov’s introduction to chess is intertwined with his fondness for video games, a narrative he shares with enthusiasm. As a six-year-old, he would often sneak away to indulge in gaming sessions.
“From as early as four or five, I had a strong passion for computer games. Any game! When I was six and everyone else was asleep, I would sneak to the computer and play until 4 or 5 a.m. That’s when my grandfather began teaching me chess,” Sindarov explained, recalling his recent triumph in the Candidates tournament, where he remained undefeated.
Throughout the conversation, Sindarov emphasized his awareness of his potential, illustrating his exceptional skills with a story from his childhood. At the age of seven, shortly after learning chess from his grandfather, he participated in the Uzbekistan U10 national championship.
In half a year, Sindarov will face India’s D Gukesh in a decisive match for the classical world champion title, with distinct contrasts in their backgrounds.
The extensive hours Gukesh dedicated to chess from a young age are well-documented, with even his childhood coaches expressing admiration for his relentless dedication. In contrast, Sindarov maintained a more casual approach to the sport during his formative years.
Counter Strike has become an integral part of his daily routine. After winning the FIDE World Cup in Goa last year, he spent considerable time playing the game at his hotel in Arpora with his second, Mukhiddin Madaminov. He also engaged in gaming during the Candidates tournament earlier this year in Cyprus.
When asked about his motivation for winning the world championship later this year, he responded, “When I began playing chess, my aspiration was to emulate Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion.”
Sindarov acknowledges that his immediate priorities include participating in tournaments such as the Sinquefield Cup and the Olympiad. He also plans to catch some matches of the Uzbekistan football team at the FIFA World Cup in the United States before turning his full attention to the challenge against Gukesh.
Currently, he admits that his goal is to surpass everyone in the sport.
Amit Kamath, an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express based in Mumbai, primarily covers chess and Olympic sports. He co-hosts the Game Time podcast, a weekly offering from Express Sports, and writes a weekly chess column titled On The Moves.
