A New Chess Rivalry Begins!

Sindarov Sets Records and Eyes the World Championship

Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov has made history with 6 wins and 8 draws at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026—the best score since this format began in 2013!

Now, he will face world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in a thrilling 14-game match later in 2026. Amazingly, both players will be just 20 years old! While Sindarov is seen as the favourite, Gukesh will have strong support from players like Viswanathan Anand and many fans from India.

Some people are also wondering if Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top-ranked player, might return to compete again. He stepped away from the title in 2023 but could be tempted by a match against Sindarov.

Sindarov’s journey is especially inspiring. He became a grandmaster at 12 but later spent much of his time playing the video game Counter-Strike. After an important win in 2021, he refocused on chess and helped Uzbekistan win gold at the Olympiad.

His story shows that it’s never too late to refocus and achieve something great! ♟️