A perfect finish in the Candidates: Sindarov officially takes the top spot

In round 13 of the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, GM Javokhir Sindarov secured first place with a controlled draw against GM Anish Giri, officially earning the right to challenge the reigning world champion in the 2026 World Chess Championship match. The Candidates, an eight-player double round robin, is widely regarded as one of the toughest events in modern chess; reaching the top requires not only strong play, but also consistency over many rounds, deep opening preparation, and psychological resilience. The fact that Sindarov sealed the achievement before the final round underlined just how mature and balanced his overall performance has been.

On the day’s most important board, Sindarov met Giri’s Exchange Queen’s Gambit Declined with excellent preparation and a very clear strategic approach. From the opening onward, the young grandmaster built a solid position, avoided unnecessary risks, and never really allowed his opponent genuine winning chances. In moments like these, the biggest test for a tournament leader is making the right practical decisions without feeling compelled to force matters—and Sindarov did exactly that. The draw was enough on the scoreboard, but it also summed up his tournament as a whole: deep preparation, a clear plan, and the discipline to avoid mistakes when everything is on the line.

The other games also helped define both the standings and the narrative of the round. GM Wei Yi produced a very resilient defensive display against GM Andrey Esipenko. After Esipenko sacrificed a piece in search of initiative, the Chinese star kept his composure, neutralized the threats, and then converted once the balance shifted in his favor. GM Fabiano Caruana followed a similar path against GM R Praggnanandhaa, sacrificing material for dynamic chances and at one stage appearing close to a full point. However, inaccuracies in the continuation allowed the advantage to slip, and the game ended in a draw. The encounter between GM Hikaru Nakamura and GM Matthias Blübaum, by contrast, was a quieter affair and concluded peacefully after balanced play.

While the Candidates has been played in its current double round robin format since 2013, the event was historically contested as a knockout competition. That makes the modern version a more complete championship test, since every player must face every rival twice rather than survive a short elimination match. Throughout the tournament, Lichess has supported coverage with detailed annotations, expert commentary, interviews, and video content, making this elite event more accessible to chess fans around the world. After round 13, however, the spotlight now shifts to a bigger question: can Sindarov’s opening repertoire, practical strength, and nerve hold up just as impressively on the game’s biggest stage? What is already certain is that he has fully earned this opportunity as the standout player of the Candidates marathon.