Sindarov starts the FIDE Candidates Tournament with a victory
Sport
Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov started the FIDE Candidates Tournament with a hard-fought victory, managing to turn around a difficult game against one of his strongest opponents.
Javokhir Sindarov made a successful start at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, which is being held in Cyprus. This is a historic participation for Uzbekistan, as it is the first time a representative of the country is competing in a tournament of this level.
In the opening round, the Uzbek grandmaster defeated Russian grandmaster Andrey Esipenko with the white pieces. Despite an unsuccessful opening and a difficult position during the game, Sindarov managed to turn the situation around.
In the decisive moments, the game was played under severe time pressure, but the Uzbek player maintained the initiative, forced his opponent into mistakes, and converted his advantage into a win. On move 41, Esipenko resigned. After the game, Sindarov noted that he had expected to lose due to the poor start.
The victory in the first round allowed him to join the leaders and gain a psychological advantage at the start of the tournament.
In the second round, Sindarov will face German grandmaster Matthias Blübaum, while Esipenko will play against American Hikaru Nakamura.
The Candidates Tournament runs from March 29 to April 15 and brings together eight of the world’s strongest players. The winner will earn the right to challenge the reigning world champion, Dommaraju Gukesh, for the world chess title.
In the opening round, the Uzbek grandmaster defeated Russian grandmaster Andrey Esipenko with the white pieces. Despite an unsuccessful opening and a difficult position during the game, Sindarov managed to turn the situation around.
In the decisive moments, the game was played under severe time pressure, but the Uzbek player maintained the initiative, forced his opponent into mistakes, and converted his advantage into a win. On move 41, Esipenko resigned. After the game, Sindarov noted that he had expected to lose due to the poor start.
The victory in the first round allowed him to join the leaders and gain a psychological advantage at the start of the tournament.
In the second round, Sindarov will face German grandmaster Matthias Blübaum, while Esipenko will play against American Hikaru Nakamura.
The Candidates Tournament runs from March 29 to April 15 and brings together eight of the world’s strongest players. The winner will earn the right to challenge the reigning world champion, Dommaraju Gukesh, for the world chess title.
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