Thipsay Backs Gukesh to Defend Title Against Sindarov in FIDE World Chess Championship 2026
Pravin Thipsay Backs D. Gukesh Ahead of FIDE World Chess Championship 2026 Clash
As the chess world gears up for the highly anticipated FIDE World Chess Championship 2026, Indian grandmaster Pravin Thipsay has thrown his support behind reigning champion D. Gukesh Dommaraju. Thipsay, a celebrated Arjuna awardee and India’s third grandmaster, believes Gukesh will successfully defend his title against challenger Javokhir Sindarov, even if the Uzbek star is at his best.
In an exclusive interview with RevSportz, Thipsay acknowledged Sindarov’s impressive performance since his victory at the Chess World Cup in Goa last year. However, he emphasized that Gukesh has consistently demonstrated a higher level of play when at his peak. “If Gukesh is at his best and Sindarov is at his best, it will be a good match. But still, it will go in favour of the Indian. Gukesh will win,” Thipsay stated confidently.
Thipsay further elaborated on the significance of Gukesh’s recent performances, particularly during major team events. “Sindarov has been playing wonderfully since the World Cup, but if you look at Gukesh’s best, I think Sindarov hasn’t reached that class yet,” he said. He pointed to Gukesh’s remarkable achievements in the 2024 and 2022 Olympiads, where he showcased unparalleled skill, suggesting that Sindarov may struggle to match that level.
Gukesh Faces Challenges Ahead of Title Defense
Despite Thipsay’s optimism, Gukesh is currently navigating a challenging phase in his career. The 20-year-old recently finished at the bottom of the standings at Norway Chess 2026, a tournament won by fellow Indian grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa. This slump in form follows Gukesh’s historic triumph in 2024, when he became the youngest world champion in chess history at just 18 years old.
Since claiming the title, Gukesh has faced difficulties in maintaining his top form, experiencing disappointing results in several major events and a significant drop in his live rating. With only a few months left before his title defense, questions loom over whether he can regain his championship-winning form in time for the showdown against Sindarov.
Sindarov: A Strong Contender
On the other side of the board, Javokhir Sindarov has also experienced a slight dip in form after dominating the Candidates tournament in April. Nevertheless, many experts still regard the Uzbek grandmaster as a formidable contender for the title, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming match.
As the chess community watches closely, the stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying clash between Gukesh and Sindarov. Will Gukesh rise to the occasion and reclaim his best form, or will Sindarov capitalize on his momentum to dethrone the reigning champion? Only time will tell as the countdown to the FIDE World Chess Championship 2026 begins.