Garry Kasparov, a former world chess champion, has expressed that Javokhir Sindarov currently appears “more impressive” than India’s D Gukesh as they prepare for their World Chess Championship encounter later this year. Kasparov suggested that if Sindarov triumphs over Gukesh, it might entice Magnus Carlsen to consider a return to competitive chess.
Sindarov recently clinched victory in the Candidates tournament held in Cyprus, finishing the event without a single defeat and establishing a significant lead by the tournament’s midpoint.
“The manner in which he secured his place in the Candidates was quite remarkable. It’s not easy to impress me, but Sindarov’s performance—his timing, the caliber of his moves, and his ability to manage and exert pressure on his opponents—was superb,” Kasparov remarked during an interview with the St. Louis Chess Club’s YouTube channel. “When comparing him to Gukesh, Sindarov seems to hold the upper hand based on recent games. However, this championship format is unique. Gukesh possesses great mental resilience, capable of defending challenging positions and discovering resources even in dire situations. While Gukesh has prior match experience, this will mark Sindarov’s first significant competition. Although the match consists of 14 games, which is shorter than previous formats, it promises to be exciting.”
Kasparov further noted that if Sindarov were to defeat Gukesh, it could potentially prompt world number one Magnus Carlsen to re-enter the championship scene. Carlsen, who has won the world title five times, stepped away from the title in 2022.
“The reigning World Champion is just 19, and the challenger is only 20. However, it’s important to remember that the strongest player, Carlsen, is 35. With all due respect, I would love to see a match between Sindarov and Magnus, especially if Sindarov manages to beat Gukesh. That could create an opportunity for Carlsen to return and see how things unfold,” he added.
In contrasting the two players, Kasparov remarked, “Sindarov is eager to compete, and I believe he will greatly benefit from engaging with stronger opponents in events like the Grand Chess Tour, having just entered the elite level. This situation is quite rare, as Gukesh has already participated in several top-tier tournaments. Sindarov appears to be experiencing a rapid rise in his career.”
Kasarov did acknowledge Gukesh’s tenacity. “In a match setting, Gukesh is exceptionally resilient. He has an extraordinary knack for defending almost any position and searching for the last possible resources in critical situations. Gukesh has some match experience under his belt, while this will be Sindarov’s debut in a relatively lengthy championship match.”
