‘You have a future world champion’: Chess crown will go to Javokhir Sindarov, Turlov says

Timur Turlov, who competes for the FIDE presidency, has tipped grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov to become world chess champion, calling Uzbekistan «the strongest team in the world right now» as the hosts chase the Chess Olympiad gold in Samarkand.

Speaking to reporters in Samarkand, Turlov answered questions about the Uzbek grandmaster and delivered an emphatic endorsement.

«Uzbekistan is undoubtedly the leader. You have a future world champion,» he said. «I think that will most likely be decided this year in Geneva. We’ll be cheering for him.»

Sindarov is due to challenge reigning champion Gukesh Dommaraju in the world title match in Geneva this November and December, having won the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Turlov described Uzbekistan’s rise as an inspiration for the wider chess community, crediting sustained, well-directed support for the game.

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«It’s an incredible success story, an incredible source of inspiration for the entire chess world,» he said, adding that such investment could produce remarkable results and become a source of pride for a whole nation.

Uzbekistan leads after beating the United States

Uzbekistan’s first team beat the top-seeded United States 2.5–1.5 on September 25, recovering from a defeat by Germany in the previous round. Nodirbek Abdusattorov defeated Fabiano Caruana, and Nodirbek Yakubboev beat Hans Niemann, overcoming Sindarov’s first loss of the tournament against Wesley So.

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With two rounds remaining, Uzbekistan led the open section on 16 match points, one ahead of India, Armenia and Uzbekistan’s second team. The latter underlined the hosts’ strength in depth by beating the Netherlands 3.5–0.5.

Uzbekistan’s first team faces Armenia in the penultimate round on September 26, while its second team takes on India — leaving both Uzbek sides firmly in the medal race