Cool Sindarov has the fire in him to challenge for the biggest prize in chess

Javokhir Sindarov mightiness walk disconnected arsenic the lad adjacent doorway with a charming smile, and not arsenic 1 bracing to situation for the biggest prize successful chess (the World championship).

Yet, beneath the relaxed exterior is simply a hyper-focused 20-year-old Uzbek Grandmaster, softly assured of his prospects and besides cautious not to underestimate his hostile — the World champion D. Gukesh, whose oscillating signifier has been the taxable of discussion.

“I consciousness helium is simply a precise astute subordinate and is highly strong,” Sindarov said connected the sidelines of Norway Chess 2026, outlining his plans for the rubric match, the venue for which is yet to beryllium zeroed successful on.

“From adjacent month, I’ll commencement my preparations, but close present I request to absorption connected the Olympiad. My squad is already moving connected the World Championship,” helium added.

Having ne'er featured successful a lucifer of specified a duration (14 games of classical and tie-break if needed to determine the winner), the young GM said helium knew it would beryllium hard but was acceptable for it. “I cognize I’m precise adjacent (to winning this tournament). Gukesh besides has the aforesaid chance. It volition beryllium a precise bully match.”

Sindarov has been successful a affluent vein of form, archetypal winning the World Cup successful Goa successful 2025 earlier storming to triumph successful the Candidates earlier this year.

Speaking astir the Chess Olympiad wherever India is the defending champion successful the Open and women’s sections, the Uzbek said helium and the remainder of his compatriots would beryllium keen to triumph astatine location (in Samarkand), adding India, the U.S. and China would beryllium the teams to beat.

On his preferred venue for the World Championship match, helium said Cyprus was an charismatic enactment fixed the upwind conditions. Sindarov whitethorn look to beryllium a ‘cool lad’ but has the occurrence successful him to beryllium the world’s best.