Javokhir Sindarov on the Brink of Candidates Glory After Draw with Nakamura in Nagpur
Youngest World Cup winner, 20-year-old Uzbek Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov, is just a draw away from securing his place in chess history after an effortless draw against World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura in the 12th round of the Candidates Chess tournament in Cyprus. With two rounds remaining, Sindarov leads with nine points, maintaining his unbeaten streak as a debutant. Meanwhile, nearest rival Anish Giri trails by two points, setting the stage for a potential showdown in the upcoming rounds.
Javokhir Sindarov on the Brink of Candidates Glory After Draw with Nakamura
NAGPUR: In a stunning display of skill and composure, 20-year-old Uzbek Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov, the youngest World Cup winner in history, is just a draw away from securing his place in chess history as he continues his remarkable journey in the Candidates Chess tournament in Cyprus.
On Sunday evening, Sindarov faced off against World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura in the 12th round, where he effortlessly secured a draw, bringing his total points to nine. This result not only maintains his unbeaten streak in Candidates chess but also positions him as the frontrunner in the tournament, even as a debutant.
Sindarov’s nearest rival, Dutch super GM Anish Giri, faced a setback when he was unable to break through the defenses of Chinese player Wei Yi, resulting in a draw that leaves him two points behind Sindarov. With only two rounds remaining, Giri must win both of his remaining games to have a chance at catching up. However, Sindarov only needs a draw in one of his last two games to clinch the tournament and challenge India’s youngest world champion, D. Gukesh, in what promises to be an electrifying Generation Z clash.
In the upcoming 13th round, Sindarov will be defending with the black pieces against Giri, while in the final 14th round, he will take on Wei Yi with the white pieces.
During the 12th-round match against Nakamura, Sindarov opted for the English Opening with the Anglo-Indian, Queen’s Knight Variation. The game concluded in a swift 33 moves, with both players exchanging queens by the 15th move. The match reached an equilibrium after a series of exchanges, leading to a peaceful resolution just six moves later.
Women’s Group Update: Vaishali Rameshbabu Shares Lead Despite Setback
In the women’s tournament, Indian player Vaishali Rameshbabu faced a challenging match against China’s Zhu Jiner, suffering a 39-move defeat. Vaishali’s King Pawn opening was met with Zhu’s Caro-Kann Defense, and a couple of mid-game inaccuracies proved costly. Despite her loss, Vaishali remains tied for the lead with Zhu, both holding 7 points.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk, who was in a commanding position against Aleksandra Goryachkina, also settled for a draw after a lengthy 71 moves, resulting in a two-way tie at the top of the women’s group.
As the tournament approaches its climax, all eyes will be on Sindarov and Vaishali as they strive for glory on the international chess stage.
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