Javokhir Sindarov clinches FIDE Candidates 2026 with a round to spare

By admin April 15, 2026 0 comments

Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) drew his penultimate round game against Anish Giri (NED) to win FIDE Candidates 2026 with a round to spare. Sindarov is set to face D Gukesh for the FIDE World Championship in a match in the near future. It will be an interesting match not only because their combined age makes it the youngest ever for a World Championship match in history but also for the first time since Boris Gelfand, a FIDE World Cup winner has won FIDE Candidates and will face the World Champion for the World Champioship in a match.

Gukesh will face Sindarov for the World Championship

It goes without saying that Gukesh – Sindarov match for the World Championship will be a record-breaking match. As many have already predicted, India vs Uzbekistan rivalry in chess will be seen at various levels. We have seen it in the Olympiads and now it will be for the ultimate pinnacle of chess.

Giri – Sindarov: 0.5-0.5

The second game between Anish Giri (NED, 2753) and Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 2745) also ended in a draw. Thus the FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Sindarov won the FIDE Candidates 2026 with a round to spare. He will face the reigning World Champion, D Gukesh for the World Championship match later this year.

Anish Giri (NED) drew against Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) for the second time at this event | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Press Conference with Javokhir Sindarov | Video: FIDE

“If you’re not lucky, it is impossible to win” – 🇺🇿 Javokhir Sindarov in the studio! | Video: FIDE

Interview with Anish Giri | Video: FIDE

Wei Yi (CHN) – Andrey Esipenko: 1-0 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Press Conference with Wei Yi and Andrey Esipenko | Video: FIDE

Hikaru Nakamura (USA) – Andrey Esipenko: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Fabiano Caruana (USA) – R Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Isai Scheinberg made the ceremonial first move on Anish Giri and Javokhir Sindarov’s board | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Interview with Isai Scheinberg | Video: FIDE

Roman Vidonyak hugs Javokhir Sindarov after he becomes the World Championship Challenger as Sindarov’s second Mukhiddin Madaminov awaits | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Round 13 in progress | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Javokhir Sindarov’s fans hold Uzbekistan flag | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) joined the official commentary with Jan Gustafsson (GER) and Peter Svidler | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) congratulates Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) as he exits the playing arena | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Replay Round 13 live stream

Replay Round 13 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 13 games

Round 13 results

Wei Yi scored the sole win in the penultimate round | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 13

Javokhir Sindarov wins the event with a round to spare 9.5/13 | Graphic: FIDE

Round 14 pairings

Andrey Esipenko — Fabiano Caruana
R Praggnanandhaa — Hikaru Nakamura
Matthias Bluebaum — Anish Giri
Javokhir Sindarov — Wei Yi

Schedule

FIDE Candidates Open and Women will take place from 29th March to 15th April. Tie-breaks, if needed, will be played on 16th April. Rest days are on 2nd, 6th, 10th and 13th April 2026.