player profile
3 articles
candidates-2026player-profile
Who Is Javokhir Sindarov? The 20-Year-Old From Tashkent About to Earn a Shot at Gukesh
He made grandmaster at 12. He won the World Cup at 19. He is now two points clear at his first Candidates Tournament with four rounds to go. On the rest day before the home stretch in Cyprus, here is the story of the Uzbek prodigy who is about to become Gukesh's next challenger.
SindarovNakamuraCarlsenAbdusattorov+3 more
candidates-2026tournament
Sindarov's Incredible Swindle: How the Candidates' Biggest Underdog Won While 'Sleeping'
Down to 6 minutes against Esipenko's 30, Sindarov thought he was losing. Then he pulled off one of the Candidates' great escapes. Welcome to the world top 10.
SindarovEsipenko
candidates-2026player-profile
The Underdogs: How Sindarov and Bluebaum Earned Their Candidates Spots
Uzbekistan's Sindarov won the World Cup at 19. Germany's Bluebaum qualified without a coach. Two unlikely stories from the 2026 Candidates.
SindarovBluebaumWei YiCarlsen