FIDE Candidates 2026 R4: Sindarov outplays Caruana, emerges sole leader, now World no.6

By admin April 2, 2026 Updated: June 17, 2026 0 comments

FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) defeated the World no.3, Fabiano Caruana (USA) in Round 4 of FIDE Candidates 2026. Sindarov completely outprepared his opponent to emerge sole leader 3.5/4. He is also now World no.6 in live ratings. Anish Giri (NED) scored the only other win of the round against Andrey Esipenko. Hikaru Nakamura (USA) missed a win against Wei YI (CHN). Today is the first of four rest days.

Giri beats Esipenko, Nakamura misses against Wei

R Praggnanandhaa drew his game against Matthias Bluebaum (GER).

Sindarov – Caruana: 1-0

The sole Classical encounter between Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 2745) and Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2795) ended in a draw at FIDE Grand Swiss 2023. Nearly 2.5 years later, Sindarov scored his first win over the World no.3 at a crucial stage. Caruana mentioned in the post-game press conference, that he probably got caught in the opening.

Position after 14.c6

14.c6 is definitely what the position needed White to play Bxc6 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.exd4 Rg8 17.g3 f5 18.Bc4 Rg4 one can only wonder if it was all preparation for White. It is certainly a difficult position to play as Black. 19.Be3 Bd5 20.Rac1 Be7 21.Bxa6 Kf8 22.Bb5 Bf6 23.Rfd1 Kg7 24.Bc6+-Ra5 25.Bxd5 Rxd5 26.Rc5 Rd7 27.d5 exd5 28.Qf3 and White went on to win the game in another eight moves. This win not only made Sindarov the sole leader of the tournament, but also World no.6 in the live ratings.

Javokhir Sindarov scored a big win over Fabiano Caruana to gain sole lead | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Javokhir Sindarov is now World no.6 with a live rating of 2759.2 | Source: 2700chess.com

Press Conference with Javokhir Sindarov and Fabiano Caruana | Video: FIDE

Esipenko – Giri: 0-1

Andrey Esipenko (2698) and Anish Giri (NED, 2753) have played five Classical rated games against each other. Giri won three and the remaining two ended in draws. Giri got the upperhand early in the opening.

Position after 11…Kd7

10.Nf5 Be7 11.Nxg7+ Kd7 shows Black is in prep. Despite black king seeming to be in more danger, it never really was. He converted a pleasant position into a win comfortably. The one and only Garry Kasparov praised on Najdorf being alive in computer era.

Andrey Esipenko suffered his second loss as his opponent Anish Giri scored his first win of the event | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Press Conference with Anish Giri and Andrey Esipenko | Video: FIDE

Sindarov beating his co-leader Caruana, and a win for black by Giri. Always nice to see the Najdorf is still alive and kicking even in the supercomputer age! https://t.co/LvyX3B6YBP
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) April 1, 2026

Wei – Nakamura: 0.5-0.5

Wei Yi (CHN, 2754) and Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2810) have played four Classical rated games against each other. All of them ended in draws. Their fifth battle was also heading towards a draw until Wei faltered in the seemingly balanced double rook endgame.

Position after 40.Kh2?

40.Kh2? opened a window of opportunity for Black Rxh4+ 41.Kg1 Rb1+ 42.Kf2 Rhh1 43.Ra2 Kg7 44.Re5? Kh6 45.Ree2 Rhf1+? and White got back in the game 46.Kg3. It was not easy for Black to figure out the win.

Wei Yi (CHN) – Hikaru Nakamura (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Interview with Hikaru Nakamura | Video: FIDE

Hikaru Nakamura analyzes his game against Wei Yi | Video: GMHikaru

Matthias Bluebaum (GER) – R Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Roman Dubov, Chairman of Total Sports Investment, made the ceremonial first move on Javokhir Sindarov and Fabiano Caruana’s board | Photo: FIDE / Yoav Nis

GM Yahli Sokolovsky (ISR) playing simultaneous exhibition games | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Fans waiting in queue for their favorite stars | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Anish Giri, Hikaru Nakamura, Javokhir Sindarov and the legend Nigel Short sign autopgraphs and take photographs with their fans| Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

GM Nigel Short explaining the games to the capacity audience at the venue | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 4 live stream

Replay Round 4 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 4 games

Round 4 results

The fourth round had 50% decisive games | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 4

Javokhir Sindarov is the sole leader 3.5/4 | Graphic: FIDE

Round 5 pairings

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