Javokhir Sindarov Beats Praggnanandhaa at 2026 FIDE Candidates
Uzbek Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov defeated India’s Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa in the 10th round of the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, cementing his position at the top of the leaderboard and extending his lead.
While the game began with careful manoeuvring, it quickly transitioned into a sharp and complex battle. Playing with the black pieces, Sindarov allowed Praggnanandhaa to win a piece in exchange for two pawns. However, the Uzbek grandmaster seized the initiative and launched a dangerous attack.
The critical moment arose around move 22 when Sindarov capitalised on his opponent’s exposed king. Facing relentless pressure and an inescapable position, Praggnanandhaa eventually resigned on move 53.
Following this result, Sindarov has widened the gap between himself and the rest of the field. With just four rounds remaining, he sits comfortably on 8 points out of a possible 10. Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri is in second place with 6 points following a draw against Hikaru Nakamura, while American Fabiano Caruana is third with 5 points.
Sindarov’s dominant performance has set a new benchmark at the event. He has become the record holder for the most victories in the modern Candidates format (introduced in 2013).
His current tournament statistics highlight an incredible run of form:
- Wins: 6
- Draws: 4
- Losses: 0
As the undisputed frontrunner, Sindarov remains the overwhelming favourite to win the 14-round tournament. The ultimate victor will secure a share of the €500,000 prize fund and earn the prestigious right to challenge reigning World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh for the global chess crown.
