Carlsen and Kasparov Both Pick Sindarov Over Gukesh for World Championship
The two greatest players in chess history agree: Sindarov is the favorite.
Magnus Carlsen, speaking at ChessParty in Stockholm last week, was direct when asked about the upcoming World Championship match: "At the moment, it is impossible not to say Sindarov."
He went further than most expected. "Gukesh has very obvious weaknesses when it comes to his understanding, and Sindarov does not. He is a lot more well-rounded."
Garry Kasparov, appearing on the St. Louis Chess Club broadcast during the Candidates Tournament in Paphos, offered a similarly strong take: "The way he won the Candidates was very impressive. I must say, it's hard to impress me. But the way Sindarov played - his timing, the quality of his moves, his ability to withstand pressure and increase the pressure on his opponents was exceptional."
The Case for Sindarov
It's not hard to see why both legends landed on the same conclusion. Sindarov's Candidates performance was historically dominant: 10/14, the highest score in the modern era, clinching the tournament with a round to spare. He went undefeated, winning seven games against the strongest field assembled in years.
Carlsen noted the contrast in styles: "I'm really curious as to know what Sindarov can do in the next few months because he is very, very different from Gukesh."
Kasparov framed the matchup in competitive terms: "Compared to Gukesh, if you look at the games, Sindarov looks like the clear favorite. But this match is a special format. Gukesh is very mentally stable, able to defend any position and find resources even in the worst situations."
On Sindarov's playing style specifically, Kasparov was blunt: "It's a deadly combination: playing fast and playing well."
The Kasparov Bombshell: Carlsen's Return?
The most provocative comment came from Kasparov, who floated the possibility of Carlsen returning to the World Championship cycle.
"The current World Champion is 19. The challenger is only 20. But I still want to emphasize that the strongest chess player is 35. With all due respect. I would love to see Sindarov playing Magnus, because Carlsen is still around. Maybe if Sindarov beats Gukesh, then there will be a chance to bring Magnus back and see how things go."
Carlsen famously gave up his world title in 2023, refusing to defend against Nepomniachtchi and citing a lack of motivation. He's been clear that the current championship format doesn't interest him. But a fresh challenger from a new generation, playing aggressive and exciting chess? That might be a different calculation entirely.
Gukesh's Position
The World Champion hasn't directly addressed the comments from Carlsen and Kasparov. But he's acknowledged his recent form issues. After a disappointing performance at Norway Chess and a 16-point rating drop in the April FIDE list (falling to world No. 15), Gukesh said: "My performance in the last few events has been quite disappointing, not just for me, but for all of you who support me."
He and his team have decided to compete with reduced intensity over the coming months, presumably to peak for the World Championship match expected in December.
At 19, Gukesh remains the youngest World Champion in history. He proved in Singapore against Ding Liren that he can handle match pressure. But the consensus is shifting: the chess world now sees Sindarov, not the title holder, as the stronger player.
Sindarov Stays Humble
Sindarov, for his part, has kept his response measured. In a ChessBase India interview, he called Carlsen "the GOAT of Chess" and spoke respectfully about his upcoming opponent: "He's the youngest champion in history and of course one of the best players in the world. He has a very good team, and it will be a very exciting match."
His first event since the Candidates will be the Chess.com Open, starting April 23. Five days of rapid chess against a field that includes Carlsen himself. The chess world will be watching to see whether the Candidates momentum carries over.
The World Championship match is expected in December 2026, with the venue and exact dates still to be announced by FIDE. If Carlsen and Kasparov are right, it could be the start of a new era in chess. And if Kasparov's hint plays out, it might just be the thing that brings the greatest player of all time back to the championship stage.
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