Javokhir Sindarov

Javokhir Sindarov is an Uzbek chess Grandmaster born on December 8, 2005 in Tashkent. He earned his GM title at the age of 12 years and 10 months, making him one of the youngest grandmasters in chess history — only the fifth player ever to achieve the title before turning 13.

Sindarov burst onto the world stage by winning the 2025 Chess World Cup in Goa, India, becoming the youngest-ever World Cup winner at 19 years old. He defeated Wei Yi in the tiebreaks to claim the title and the $120,000 top prize, earning his spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. A two-time Uzbekistan national champion (2019, 2021), he was also part of the historic Uzbek team that won the 44th Chess Olympiad in 2022 in Chennai.

With a peak FIDE rating above 2720 and climbing, Sindarov represents the next generation of chess elite. At just 20 years old, he enters the 2026 Candidates as one of the youngest participants and a genuine dark horse contender for the right to challenge for the World Championship title.