Javokhir Sindarov is set to compete against Gukesh Dommaraju for the world chess championship this fall after securing his place in the Candidates tournament with one game left to play on Tuesday afternoon in Cyprus.
The 20-year-old grandmaster from Uzbekistan sealed his victory in the 14-game double round-robin format by achieving a solid draw against Dutch chess player Anish Giri after 58 moves, finishing with a total of 9½ points while leaving Giri, ranked ninth in the world, two points behind with one round remaining.
“Once he exchanged queens [20 Qxa6], I felt no pressure,” Sindarov commented after the match. “I was quite comfortable throughout the game.”
Giri entered the penultimate round with a mathematical chance to win but had missed an opportunity to close the gap the previous day when he was unable to capitalize on a winning position against Wei Yi from China.
Sindarov’s comprehensive win in the coastal town of Peyia was marked by an impressive unbeaten streak, which included six victories and seven draws over 13 games, showcasing a remarkable level of dominance rarely seen in the intensely competitive Candidates tournament. He will conclude his participation with a match against Wei Yi on Wednesday.
This tournament was anticipated to be a potential final challenge for the established elite, yet prominent American players Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura failed to present a sustained threat, highlighting the ongoing transition towards a younger generation of players at the top echelons of chess.
Gukesh, who made history as the youngest world champion by defeating Ding Liren from China in Singapore two years ago, broke the previous record set by Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he won against Anatoly Karpov in 1985.
The upcoming championship match will mark the second consecutive time that two Asian players face off for the world’s most prestigious chess title, a historic first occurring just recently. Both competitors will be under 21 at the time of their meeting, likely scheduled for November, with Gukesh being about six months younger than Sindarov.
Ding had secured the championship by overcoming Ian Nepomniachtchi after Magnus Carlsen, a five-time champion who held the world No. 1 ranking for nearly 15 years, decided not to participate in the title cycle, citing a lack of motivation. The rise of Sindarov and his peers has prompted renewed speculation about Carlsen’s possible return, although he has consistently stated he has no plans to come back.
This accomplishment represents another peak in Sindarov’s impressive year, as he has risen to a career-high No. 11 in the world rankings following a significant victory at last year’s FIDE World Cup. In contrast, Gukesh has faced challenges recently, including a disappointing performance at the Prague International Chess Festival in March, where he finished last with only one win out of nine games.
“My recent performances have been quite disappointing, not only for myself but also for my supporters,” Gukesh shared on Instagram last month. “To regain my best form, my team and I have decided it would be best for me to compete with a bit less intensity over the next few months.”
Sindarov will take home €70,000 ($82,582) from the €700,000 prize pool, in addition to €5,000 for each half point earned. When asked if it had fully registered that he would be contending for the most significant title in chess, Sindarov was candid.
The specific date and location for the upcoming world championship match, which will consist of 14 games, have yet to be finalized.
