Javokhir Sindarov clinches Clutch Chess Champions Showdown 2026, Praggnanandhaa second

By admin October 30, 2026 0 comments

The FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Javokhir Sindarov won his last event Clutch Chess Champions Showdown 2026 before his match for the World Championship next month against D Gukesh.

Sindarov brings momentum to World Championship Match

The World Championship Challenger, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) drew against R Praggnanandhaa in the first game, won the next, defeated Fabiano Caruana (USA) and Hikaru Nakamura (USA) in the first game and drew the next to become the champion with 20.5/36. Praggnanandhaa finished second 19/36, Caruana third 13.5/36 and Nakamura fourth 12/36.

“Today I woke up, I opened my social media accounts and first thing I saw on Instagram is reels – Whom you are rooting for on the final day? I saw you (GM Maurice Ashley) and Yasser is rooting for me. I am thinking wait so, maybe today I need to play well. Today my general plan was to win all small matches and yeah I won. Even I had some chances to win some matches like 2-0 against Fabi. I played brilliant King’s Indian but at the end I was disappointed that I didn’t realize my position and I also saw that Pragg is also winning. I was thinking oh my god, why. I was a little bit worried. When I played with Hikaru, the game was one of the best King’s Indian games I have ever played in my life. Even in this short time control, I played very well.” – Javokhir Sindarov on winning the tournament.

The total prize fund was $425000. Sindarov, Praggnanandhaa, Caruana and Nakamura won US$168000, $109000, $81000 and $67000 each.