Historic Breakthrough: Uzbek Chess Player Sets Candidates Tournament Record and Moves Closer to the World Crown.
Twenty-year-old Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov secured an early victory in the Candidates Tournament currently being held in Cyprus.
Sindarov became the first representative of Uzbekistan to win the Candidates Tournament, the premier qualifying event of the World Chess Championship cycle.
In the 13th round, the Uzbek grandmaster drew with Dutch grandmaster Anish Giri, bringing his total to 9.5 points. The result was enough to secure overall victory with one round remaining.
Sindarov also set a record in the modern format of the Candidates Tournament, which has been in place since 2013. During the event, he scored six wins — more than any other participant in the history of the current format.
By winning the Candidates Tournament, the Uzbek grandmaster earned the right to challenge reigning World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh in a match for the world chess crown.
Popular
Ashgabat to Host International Children’s Chess Tournament
The first international Kids Expo–Chess Cup will take place in Ashgabat on August 19–20. Young chess players from more than 15 countries are expected to take part in the tournament.
Games of the Future 2026 in Numbers: Highlights from the Tournament in Astana
More than 800 athletes from over 50 countries, 453 million views, and nearly 29,000 spectators. Astana has wrapped up the Games of the Future 2026, one of the world's largest international tournaments combining digital and traditional sports.
Kazakhstan hosts the first-ever world university team chess championship
Almaty has become the venue for the final stage of the first-ever FIDE World University Team Chess Championship, marking another milestone in Kazakhstan's growing role on the global chess stage.