Gukesh Poised to Dominate Sindarov in Upcoming World Chess Championship, Says Pravin Thipsay
Gukesh Poised to Dominate Sindarov in Upcoming World Chess Championship, Says Pravin Thipsay
As the chess world gears up for the highly anticipated 2026 World Chess Championship, Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh is being hailed as the favorite to defend his title against challenger Javokhir Sindarov. Veteran chess player Pravin Thipsay has expressed unwavering confidence in Gukesh’s abilities, asserting that the Indian champion has the potential to “crush” his Uzbek opponent.
Sindarov, who recently earned his challenger status by winning the FIDE Candidates Tournament without losing a single game, has made waves in the chess community. However, Thipsay believes that Sindarov’s achievements pale in comparison to Gukesh’s track record. “Gukesh is a very strong player and he is almost unparalleled compared to Sindarov,” Thipsay stated in an interview with Mid-Day.
Despite Gukesh’s recent struggles, including a disappointing joint-last finish at the Prague Masters 2026, Thipsay remains optimistic. “If he’s able to discover his form from earlier years, he will just crush Sindarov, who has a lot of weaknesses,” he added.
Gukesh has taken proactive steps to regain his form, recently withdrawing from several tournaments to focus on training for the championship. Thipsay emphasized that an in-form Gukesh will always be a favorite against Sindarov, who, while strong in opening preparation, may find it challenging against Gukesh’s renowned defensive skills.
“Sindarov tends to win a lot of his games in the opening phase, whereas it is not in Gukesh’s nature to prepare well and win in the opening phase. So, it will be an interesting clash,” Thipsay noted, drawing parallels to legendary players like Anatoly Karpov, who excelled in defense.
As the countdown to the championship begins, all eyes will be on Gukesh to see if he can reclaim his former glory and solidify his status as one of the chess greats. The chess community eagerly awaits what promises to be a thrilling showdown between two formidable talents.