Javokhir Sindarov extended his lead at the world championship Candidates in Cyprus on Thursday, strengthening his position in the race for a shot at the world title.
The 20-year-old Uzbek grandmaster recorded his sixth win of the event and now stands on an unbeaten eight points from 10 games. That leaves him two points clear of his nearest pursuer, the Netherlands No 1, Anish Giri.
Giri has climbed into second place after winning two games in a row, but he still appears to have little chance of catching the leader unless Sindarov’s form collapses in the closing rounds.
Sindarov capitalises on a costly error
In Thursday’s key game, India’s Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu came armed with a sharp and complicated defensive idea against the Queen’s Gambit, using an early advance of his g and h pawns. The plan created tension, but it did not hold up under pressure.
Praggnanandhaa blundered on move 22, and Sindarov was able to turn the position decisively in his favour. He emerged with a queen and several pawns for two rooks that proved ineffective, giving him the material edge needed to convert the point.
The result reinforced Sindarov’s status as the player to beat in Cyprus and moved him another step closer to the world title challenge that comes with success in the Candidates.
With only a small number of rounds remaining, the Uzbek teenager’s unbeaten run has become the central story of the tournament. His combination of consistency and tactical sharpness has kept him ahead of a field packed with experienced challengers.
Giri’s recent run has improved his standing, but the gap at the top remains significant. Unless Sindarov slips, the Dutch grandmaster may have to settle for a place just behind the runaway leader.
The Candidates remains the crucial qualifying event for the world championship match, and Sindarov’s latest victory gives him an increasingly strong grip on that opportunity. At 20, he is now within striking distance of one of the biggest prizes in chess.
