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Javokhir Sindarov on preparing to face D Gukesh for the World title

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 20/04/2026

The chess world is witnessing a generational shift. We are seeing new names emerge as contenders for the World title. After winning the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, Uzbek star Javokhir Sindarov has emerged as the new challenger for the World Championship. In a recent interview after his victory, Sindarov reflected on his journey, key moments, and preparation. He also shared his thoughts on facing World Champion Gukesh in what promises to be a historic clash. Read the article to know more. Photo: Michal Walusza

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A new era dawns in the chess world!

The chess world is abuzz with possibilities! We are seeing new names emerge as contenders for the World title. The Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov has been at the forefront of this wave, first impressing everyone by winning the FIDE World Cup 2025 and now going a step further by clinching the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026. Javokhir vs Gukesh would be an interesting match to watch. This will be the first-ever World Championship match contested between two representatives of the "young generation."

Javokhir Sindarov with the trophy after a dream run to the top. | Photo: Michal Walusza

IM Sagar Shah recently interviewed Javokhir after he became the World Championship challenger. Here is the full transcript of the interview:

Sagar Shah (SS): Congratulations on the victory! The prize ceremony just got over, you have got a beautiful trophy… everything is done. Feeling good right now?

Javokhir Sindarov (JS): Yeah, of course. I am very happy. The dream has come true. So it’s a very special moment in my life.

SS: Have you already started thinking about the match?

JS: Actually, no. I want to first celebrate properly with my friends. I am waiting to go home. Probably after that, I will start thinking about the match.

SS: What was really amazing was your video with the president of Uzbekistan. It was very cool.

JV: Yeah, it was very cool. Our president is always supporting sports, especially chess. After any of our wins, he always tries to support us. I am very proud and happy to be an Uzbek son. So thanks to my president and thanks to my government for supporting us like this.

Javokhir Sindarov speaks with the President of Uzbekistan after Winning Candidates. | Video: ChessBase India

SS: Things back home will be crazy, right?

JS: Yeah, I think it will be something even bigger than the World Cup. I don’t know… I don’t want to expect too much, but I know it will be super fantastic.

Javokhir Sindarov’s Grand Welcome in Uzbekistan after Winning the FIDE Candidates 2026

SS: I was talking to your coach, Roman, and he mentioned you will celebrate for 2–3 days and then get back to preparation.

JS: Yeah, I think he is right. I don’t want to celebrate too much because I have a lot of things ahead. I have a tournament coming up, so I need to play well there. I will celebrate a bit, meet my friends and family, and enjoy the moment with them.

Interview with IM Roman Vidonyak, Sindarov's coach. | Video: ChessBase India

SS: Coming to the games quickly, your two wins against Praggnanandhaa were incredible. You have had tough matches against him before, but now you are getting the better of him. These games were crazy! You attacked his king in the center...

JS: Yeah, in those games I played in my style, dynamic chess. I tried to put pressure on him on time as well. Maybe he wasn’t getting his usual positions, maybe not at his best, I don’t know. I was also a bit lucky. But overall, I played really well in the tournament. I think I played better than everyone. I used almost all my chances, except one game against Matthias Bluebaum.

SS: The Ba4 moment. I think you got tired...

Sindarov played 24...Bxa4 and allowed queen trade. Instead, he should have played Qb7 or Qa5

JS: Yeah… I think I got tired there. I was not in the right mindset. I was trying not to take risks, just aiming for draws. But after that, I played a crazy game against Pragg, came back to my style, and won an important game.

SS: When I spoke to your coach, he said his favourite game was actually your draw against Fabiano Caruana. He said it was more impressive than many wins.

JS: Yeah, that defense was something special. I defended very well and found very good moves. It’s probably one of the best defensive games in history, because normally grandmasters lose such positions. It was very unpleasant. I was close to losing, even though I thought about resigning at one point. But somehow I found motivation, remembered my coach’s advice, and kept defending move by move without blundering. If you don’t blunder, it’s always very hard for your opponent to win.

Javokhir Sindarov faces Caruana's slow, poisonous opening idea. | Video: ChessBase India

SS: Your opening preparation against Hikaru Nakamura and Caruana was also outstanding. Now that the tournament is over, can you talk about that preparation?

JS: Yeah, we worked a lot last year with my seconds. I had a very good team for this tournament. They worked really hard. Very nice guys, very chill, and we enjoyed our training camps. I came here with one of the best preparations, and it worked very well in the games. I was lucky too, I got close to winning two important games straight from the opening.

SS: Finally, about the match ahead. There is talk about two versions of D Gukesh, his normal form and his “monster” form. How do you see it?

JS: It will be a very interesting match. Two players from the young generation fighting for the world title, it’s something special. I haven’t played Gukesh much. I have a good score, but those wins were when he was very young. Now he is extremely strong. If he is in form, he is one of the best players in the world. He doesn’t really have weaknesses. I don’t know who the favourite is, but I know it will be a fantastic match. I will just try to enjoy it, it’s a dream for me to play this match.

Amruta Mokal: One last question, if you had a lifespan of 1000 years, how many years would you play chess?

JS: (laughs) Probably 100 years. Maximum 100. I love chess… but not that much. I also want to live life.


Check out the full interview here:

Interview with Javokhir Sindarov after he won the FIDE Candidates tournament 2026. | Video: ChessBase India
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