Uzbekistan’s 19-year-old Sindarov wins FIDE World Cup 2025, becomes youngest champion

Nineteen-year-old Uzbek chess prodigy Javokhir Sindarov delivered the biggest win of his young career, capturing the FIDE World Cup 2025 after a tense final against China’s Wei Yi in Goa. The tournament, played from October 31 to November 26, saw both classical games in the final end in draws, pushing the title clash into rapid tiebreaks. Sindarov displayed exceptional calm, precision, and strategic clarity under pressure, ultimately securing victory. With this triumph, he became the youngest ever winner of the FIDE World Cup, marking a historic milestone in his career.

In the decisive rapid game, Sindarov broke through in a 60 move contest stemming from the Italian Game’s Two Knights Defense. His precise calculation under pressure earned him a 2.5-1.5 victory overall, sealing a landmark triumph against one of the world’s most respected attacking players.

The result marks a major milestone in Sindarov’s career. By finishing among the top three in the FIDE World Cup, he has secured a place in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the prestigious eight-player event that will determine who faces India’s Grandmaster Gukesh in the 2027 World Championship, reinforcing Sindarov’s position as one of chess’s brightest young stars.

His achievement also stands alongside that of India’s Divya Deshmukh, who won the women’s World Cup earlier this year. The two champions, born just a day apart, symbolise a new generation taking charge of the global chess arena.

For Goa, which hosted the event for the first time, the tournament concluded on a high note, earning appreciation for its organisation, lively atmosphere, and strong turnout from chess enthusiasts across the country.