Panaji, Nov 26 (LatestNewsX) – Uzbekistan’s rising star Javokhir Sindarov etched a historic moment into the chess calendar when he became the youngest player ever to triumph at the Chess World Cup. The nine‑year‑old overcame China’s Wei Yi in a nerve‑racking tiebreak finale held in Goa this Wednesday.
The tournament opened with a whirlwind of upsets, and Sindarov, seeded sixteenth, had no clear path to glory. In the quarters he edged out his fellow countryman, Nodirbek Yakubboev, before a nail‑biting draw in the semi‑final forced a rapid tie‑break. Despite being a long‑shot entrant, Sindarov seized the opportunity, pushing the field forward to the 2026 Candidates Tournament alongside Wei Yi.
In Tuesday’s opening game, Wei played the Petrov Defense – a test that put the young Uzbek in a difficult spot as he sought chances with White. The Chinese grandmaster nearly succeeded, drawing the game into a marginally better bishop‑pawn endgame. After 50 intricate moves, the two players agreed to a draw, setting up a decisive rapid showdown.
The extra‑time battles began on Wednesday, and Sindarov’s composure shone through. He outplayed Wei in the second 15‑minute +10‑second rapid tie‑break, securing the title and a $120,000 cheque from the tournament’s $2 million purse.
The 11th edition of the FIDE World Cup saw 206 competitors start on October 28. By vanquishing Yakubboev in the semi‑finals and overcoming his compatriot, Sindarov reached the final – a journey that halted Im Esipenko’s challenge as well. His victory signals a fresh wave of young talent reshaping the chess world.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
