New Delhi: Javokhir Sindarov has sealed a remarkable campaign at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 by securing a draw against Anish Giri in Round 13, confirming his place as the tournament winner with one round still to play.
The Uzbek grandmaster remained unbeaten throughout the event and established an unassailable lead at the top of the standings. Entering the penultimate round with a two-point advantage, he needed only a steady result to secure the title – a task he accomplished with a composed performance, according to fide.com.
Giri, who required a win to keep his chances alive, opened aggressively with 1.e4. However, Sindarov opted for a solid and controlled approach, steering the game into a simplified position. Early exchanges led to a queenless middlegame, reducing tactical risks and favouring consolidation.
As the game progressed, Giri attempted to create pressure along open lines, but Sindarov’s precise defensive setup neutralised any serious threats. The contest eventually moved into a balanced endgame featuring rooks and bishops, where neither player could gain a decisive edge. The game concluded in a draw by repetition.
With this result, Sindarov secured the Candidates title and earned the right to challenge reigning world champion D. Gukesh later this year.
In other games in the open section, Hikaru Nakamura played out a draw with Matthias Bluebaum, while Wei Yi registered a win over Andrey Esipenko. R Praggnanandhaa also shared the points with Fabiano Caruana.
Sindarov’s unbeaten run and consistent performances underline his emergence as a serious contender on the world stage, setting up a highly anticipated World Championship showdown.
