Javokhir Sindarov sends a clear message: the next target is the world crown

Javokhir Sindarov, the Uzbek grandmaster who won the FIDE Candidates 2026 with an impressive performance, spoke in depth after his triumph about both his emotions and his future ambitions. In his interview with Charlyze van Zyle, the young star stressed that the joy following the event was not merely a personal sense of achievement, but also a historic result for Uzbek chess. According to Sindarov, his phone was flooded with messages after the decisive stage of the tournament; family members, friends, federation officials, and government representatives all celebrated the major success. A congratulatory phone call from the country’s president the next day became one of the most unforgettable moments for the young grandmaster.

The most striking part of Sindarov’s remarks was undoubtedly his bold statement about the World Championship match. Speaking with the confidence of a player who has already won the World Cup, the Uzbek star said that by the end of the year he would try to win the World Championship match as well. The comment reflects not only strong motivation, but also a clear determination to establish himself permanently among the elite. In a grueling event like the Candidates, where even a modest plus score is often considered a realistic target, finishing with 10/14 and +6 underlines the level of his preparation, the depth of his opening repertoire, and his ability to make the right decisions in critical moments. In modern top-level chess, such results come not only from talent, but also from team support and psychological resilience.

Between the lines of the interview, Sindarov’s disciplined preparation also stands out as a key part of his success. He had previously mentioned in press conferences that his coach would have been satisfied with a cautious but solid +1 at the halfway stage. Instead, the young grandmaster delivered a performance far beyond those expectations. That record shows that he was not only defending well, but also ready to seize the initiative and push for full points whenever the position demanded it. In an event like the Candidates, where the strongest players in the world battle each other, control of tempo, opening surprises, endgame technique, and stress management are all decisive factors. Sindarov’s rise should be viewed as a reflection of exactly this kind of multi-layered mastery.

Considering the rise of Uzbek chess in recent years, Sindarov’s victory means more than just an individual milestone. The country’s younger generation has been producing world-class results in both team competitions and individual events. His Candidates triumph now stands as the latest peak of that development. All eyes are turning to how he will prepare for a possible World Championship match. In his own words, the next step is not merely to take part, but to aim to win—and that is precisely why the chess world is no longer viewing him only as a promising talent, but as one of the strongest contenders for the world crown.