NEW DELHI: The chess world has a brand new apex predator, and his title is Javokhir Sindarov.In a panoramic show of tactical aggression, the 20-year-old Uzbek Grandmaster (GM) clinched the FIDE Candidates Event 2026 on Tuesday, securing his proper to problem India’s D Gukesh for the World Chess Championship title later this yr.With a spherical to spare, Sindarov’s draw in opposition to Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri was sufficient to take care of a commanding two-point lead over a shell-shocked discipline.
In an unique interview, Germany No. 1 Vincent Keymer, contemporary from his personal triumph on the Freestyle Chess Open on the Grenke Chess Pageant in Karlsruhe, shared his insights on the Sindarov Juggernaut“I’m following the Candidates as intently as I can. I feel it is sort of the spotlight of the yr. After all, I’d have beloved to be there, however nonetheless I am following it fairly intently,” Keymer advised TimesofIndia.com from Germany. “What can we are saying? Sindarov is simply crushing it.”
Essentially the most essential second in Sindarov’s run
Each legendary run has a second the place it nearly by no means occurred. For Sindarov, that second got here in Spherical 1 in opposition to Andrey Esipenko. Down on the clock with barely six minutes left in opposition to Esipenko’s thirty on transfer 27, and observing a disadvantageous place, Sindarov appeared destined for an opening-day defeat.As a substitute, he swindled a win that modified the trajectory of the event. Keymer believes this was the “Huge Bang” of Sindarov’s marketing campaign.“That first recreation was extraordinarily vital,” Keymer shared with a smile. “He had a fairly unhealthy place in opposition to Esipenko and was down on the clock. Actually, it was simple for him to lose that recreation. If he had misplaced then, issues would have been utterly totally different. He survived that shock second, obtained a bit fortunate, and received that recreation.”
Sindarov was down on time in opposition to Esipenko (Picture: Screengrab from Chess.com)
Since that escape, Sindarov’s scorecard has appeared extra like a blitz demolition than a marathon classical occasion. His capacity to play at excessive pace, a trait normally reserved for shorter codecs, has left elite veterans gasping for air.
The masterclass of a champion
Maybe an eye-opener for followers was Sindarov’s encounter with R Praggnanandhaa in Spherical 10 of the event. In a scenario the place most event leaders would go for a stable draw to guard their lead with the White, Sindarov selected violence.“Have a look at the way in which he goes concerning the video games,” Keymer advised this web site. “In opposition to Pragg, he had the selection to play a stable recreation as White. As a substitute, he selected to sacrifice a chunk for good compensation. However nonetheless, it was a really unclear place. In that second, when drawing all of your video games principally ensures you first place, going for such a place takes braveness.”
What can we are saying? Sindarov is simply crushing it.
Vincent Keymer on Candidates Event
Keymer, who just lately secured his spot within the 2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship along with his win on the Grenke Chess Pageant, famous that Sindarov is successful with a psychological dominance that’s uncommon within the post-Magnus Carlsen period.
The ‘Bluebaum Sweep’ that wasn’t
The 2026 Candidates has additionally been a event of subplots, none extra vibrant than the #GreatBluebaumSweep. What began as a satirical social media meme, prophesying that German GM Matthias Blübaum would go 14/14, grew to become a lighthearted rallying cry for followers.Keymer provided a grounded perspective on his compatriot’s efficiency.“The sweep was a dream, after all,” Keymer laughed. “Matthias performed an ideal Grand Swiss to get right here, and he deservedly certified. However at this absolute elite stage, you want one thing particular to occur to win the entire thing.”
Matthias Blübaum (Picture by Niki Riga)
Whereas Blübaum did not ship the 14-0 “sweep” the web craved, Keymer defended his efficiency.“He’s been very stable. He does not lose quite a bit (just one loss in 13 video games). He’s making an attempt to play good chess and watch for his likelihood, however the hope of him crushing the sector didn’t materialise. Nonetheless, it’s a really affordable consequence contemplating that we’re seeing so many sturdy gamers being on method fewer factors,” the 21-year-old GM acknowledged.ALSO READ: Harika Dronavalli Unique | ‘Clean thoughts’ and daring leap: How the veteran cracked freestyle chess on debutBecause the mud settles within the Candidates’ corridor, the main focus shifts to the D Gukesh vs Javokhir Sindarov showdown. It’s a mouth-watering prospect for the brand new age of chess.