Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov clinched victory in the Candidates Tournament with a round to spare on Tuesday, drawing with Dutchman Anish Giri to set up a World Championship match against India’s Gukesh Dommaraju.
The 20-year-old stormed through the event in Cyprus, winning six of his 13 games and losing none in a dominant performance never seen at the Candidates.
Sindarov moved to 9.5 points, two clear of second-placed Giri on 7.5, after the Dutchman failed to convert a winning position against China’s Wei Yi in the previous round.
“It was the hardest week in my life. I even slept really bad the last few days. I am very happy to finish this tournament with a win,” Sindarov told reporters.
The tournament had been seen as a possible last opportunity for the old guard to mount another challenge for the world title, but Americans Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura never seriously threatened.
Gukesh won the title in 2024, defeating China’s Ding Liren in the 14th and final game of their match. Ding had himself become champion by beating Ian Nepomniachtchi after Magnus Carlsen, the five-times champion who remains world number one, relinquished the crown, citing a lack of motivation.
“I do not want to think a lot about the upcoming World Championship match right now. I know it will be a very hard match,” Sindarov said.
“Gukesh has an experience of playing at this level. But I have a very good team. I have a lot to work on and I will work a lot for this and take my chances.”
While Sindarov’s breakthrough and the broader rise of a younger generation are likely to fuel fresh speculation about a Carlsen comeback, the Norwegian has said he has no intention of returning to the classical World Championship cycle.
A precise date and a venue for the World Championship match have yet to be announced.
(Reuters)
