Gukesh vs Javokhir Sindarov

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GUKESH VS JAVOKHIR SINDAROV NEWS

In 2024, against Ding Liren, Gukesh was at his peak. Two years later, Gukesh is the one in deep water and his challenger Javokhir Sindarov looks better every tournament he plays. (Photo: Petr Vrabec via Prague International Chess Festival.)

Anand on Gukesh's World Championship defence: 'World just not bending like it used to'

September 05, 2026 10:12 pm

The five-time champion draws on his own 20s to explain a slump he says can't be fixed, only outlasted

(LEFT) A screengrab that Gukesh shared showing his conversation with someone trying to troll him; (RIGHT) Gukesh at the recent Chennai Grand Masters tournament. (Photos: Screengrab via Gukesh/Instagram; Express Photo)

‘Haters are fun bro’: Gukesh schools troll who told him it was time to retire

August 26, 2026 11:17 pm

Gukesh will defend his World Championship title in November-December in Geneva against Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov.

World championship contender Javokhir Sindarov speaks at an event while a TV behind shows a live game between world champion Gukesh and Alireza Firouzja at Norway Chess 2026. (Express Photo by Amit Kamath)

Javokhir Sindarov is playing everywhere. Gukesh has gone silent. Who's got it right?

August 26, 2026 9:40 pm

"For Gukesh, I understand. Last year he played a lot of tournaments and he didn't feel very good mentally. He might have felt that he needed to work on certain things. But in my opinion, he's a very, very strong chess player," says Sindarov.

Gukesh is the reigning world champion, having become the youngest to win the title after beating Ding Liren in 2024. Sindarov, meanwhile, comes into the match after dominating the Candidates this year. (File Photo)

Geneva to host Gukesh vs Sindarov World Chess Championship match in Nov-Dec 2026

July 28, 2026 6:39 pm

Gukesh, the 18-year-old GM from Chennai, will defend the crown he won in Singapore in December 2024 against China's Ding Liren.

Top Uzbek Grandmasters Nodirbek Abdusattorv and Javokhir Sindarov. (Credit: UzChess & Yoav Nis (Eugene Nisenabum)/FIDE).

Why Javokhir Sindarov's biggest rival will help him prepare to face Gukesh

July 16, 2026 7:11 pm

Nodirbek Abdusattorov has revealed he will join Javokhir Sindarov's team for the world championship — an admission most elite grandmasters would never make about a rival from their own country

World champion D Gukesh on a sail boat during the Norway Chess Games day in Oslo during the recent Norway Chess tournament. (Express Photo by Amit Kamath)

Gukesh interview: ‘Lately my strengths have been controlling me’

July 13, 2026 8:55 am

Gukesh speaks about managing expectations of the rest of the world; his objectivity in games getting clouded by him wanting the result too much; being serious about the process, but relaxed about the results; losing motivation for some months after becoming world champion and lot more.