Sindarov Wins 2026 Candidates, Faces Gukesh for Title

Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov clinched victory in the 2026 Candidates Chess Tournament on Tuesday in Paphos, Cyprus, earning the right to challenge India's D Gukesh for the world championship title later this year. The 20-year-old secured the win with a round to spare after drawing his 13th-round game against Dutch player Anish Giri, finishing unbeaten with 9.5 points from six wins and seven draws. Giri ended second with 7.5 points, two behind Sindarov.

Sindarov's dominant performance marked a rare feat in the tournament's history, as only a few previous challengers had wrapped up the event before the final round. He spoke of the intense pressure leading up to the conclusion, saying, "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." The Uzbek player, who entered the elite circuit relatively recently, maintained an unbeaten streak of 50 classical games entering the event.

Gukesh, the reigning world champion at 19, captured the title in December 2024 by defeating China's Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in Singapore. At 18 years old then, Gukesh became the youngest champion ever, surpassing the record set...