FIDE Candidates 2026 Open Section: Sindarov seals title with a round to spare; extends unbeaten run to 50 games
Javokhir Sindarov’s dream run at the FIDE Candidates 2026 was sealed with a draw against Anish Giri in Round 13, securing him a shot at the FIDE World Championship against D. Gukesh later this year.
Sindarov remains unbeaten in the tournament and clinched the Candidates title with a round to spare.
Heading into Tuesday’s Round 13, Sindarov held a two-point lead. Giri needed a win to cut the deficit to one and take the contest into the final day, but the draw ensured Sindarov wrapped up the title.
Giri opened with 1. e4, and Sindarov responded with a rock-solid set-up. By move 15, several pieces had been exchanged, leading to a queenless middlegame, a scenario that suited Sindarov as he looked to minimise risk.
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Giri attempted to build pressure along the d-file, but Sindarov defended resolutely with Be6 and Re6, neutralising White’s efforts.
The game later transitioned into a rook and bishop endgame, where neither side could find a breakthrough, before the players repeated moves to agree to a draw by threefold repetition.
Other results in the Open section saw Hikaru Nakamura pick up another draw against Matthias Bluebaum, Wei Yi defeat Andrey Esipenko, and R. Praggnanandhaa draw against Fabiano Caruana.
Published on Apr 14, 2026