Javokhir Sindarov returned home to Uzbekistan as a national hero after winning the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana offered predictions favoring Sindarov in his upcoming world championship match against Gukesh Dommaraju. Both highlighted Sindarov's strengths while noting Gukesh's potential to rebound.
Javokhir Sindarov arrived at Tashkent Airport on Friday to a warm reception from Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and fellow grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had called to congratulate him earlier from Cyprus and later awarded Sindarov the 'Mehnat shuhrati' medal, his second presidential honor in six months following his FIDE World Cup win. Sindarov's grandmother Jamila Sindarova said, 'I watched every game, sometimes even crying from tension. But Javokhir overcame all obstacles.' The president called Sindarov 'the pride and honor of our entire Uzbekistan.' Sindarov told the president, 'God willing, when I bring the crown, I will also give it to you!' He expressed hope for a future world title match between two Uzbeks, including Abdusattorov. The world championship match against Gukesh is scheduled for mid-November to December. At the Chessparty event in Stockholm's Avicii Arena over the weekend, Magnus Carlsen predicted Sindarov as the favorite. 'At the moment it’s impossible not to say Sindarov,' Carlsen said. 'Gukesh has very obvious weaknesses when it comes to his understanding, and Sindarov does not in the same way. He’s a lot more well-rounded.' Carlsen ruled out returning for the classical title, stating, 'The classical world championship is not something I’m interested in at all.' Fabiano Caruana, speaking on the C-Squared podcast, foresaw a close contest. 'Prediction is slight money on Sindarov, maybe 55-45,' he said, adding that Gukesh, at 19, could recover as Ding Liren did previously. Sindarov starts in the Chess.com Open today, potentially facing Carlsen later, while both title contenders meet in rapid and blitz events in Poland on May 5-9.
