Two months after his incredible Candidates victory, GM Javokhir Sindarov says his life has changed surprisingly little. But the 20-year-old Uzbek star revealed that his approach to chess changed dramatically over the last year.
In an interview with Chess.com, Sindarov discusses his training camps that fueled his rise and led to his upcoming title match against GM Gukesh Dommaraju. The 20-year-old’s breakthrough came when he became the youngest-ever winner of the FIDE World Cup last year. He has had a remarkable half-year since that performance, climbing to world number four after his record 10/14 score in Cyprus.
Sindarov met with Chess.com during a visit to Oslo for Norway Chess, where he was supporting GM Bibisara Assaubayeva.
Despite the growing fame and recognition around the world, he is trying hard not to change. “I want to stay the same,” Sindarov said.
The Uzbek also talked about his rise to the top five, which he credited to working with coach IM Roman Vidonyak. The 20-year-old also said he would prefer the match to be held at a neutral venue rather than in either India or Uzbekistan.
Here’s the transcript of the interview, which has been edited for clarity and length:
It’s been about two months since you won the Candidates. How has life been since then?
There is no big difference because life is going normal. I’m playing tournaments, preparing, and that’s all. Right now I’m taking a rest. Probably before the match things will become different, but now it’s like every day. I didn’t change anything.
But you get a lot more attention now than before?
Yeah, people know me now not only in Uzbekistan. In Europe also, people started knowing me. Maybe I became someone’s idol—I don’t know. There are a lot of things, but in my opinion there is not a huge difference. Before, people also knew me, but now, of course, it’s different.
What is it like knowing that so many young players look up to you?
I’m enjoying it. Not only in Uzbekistan. When I played tournaments in Warsaw and Bucharest, people were asking me to sign things and calling my name. It’s very cool.
Do you have any crazy fan stories?
Not really, but I probably have a lot of huge fans. In Uzbekistan for sure. During the Candidates, I remember people wearing T-shirts with my photo to support me. Probably we’ll see the same when I play the match.
Are you recognized on the streets in Tashkent?
Yes. When I walk in the street, people tell their friends, ‘Look, this is Sindarov, I know him, he’s a chess player.’ I’m okay with that. I don’t want to change my rhythm because I became a chess player. I want to stay the same person.
When I walk in the street, people tell their friends, ‘Look, this is Sindarov, I know him, he’s a chess player.’
—Javokhir Sindarov
You have climbed very quickly in the last year. You crossed 2700 again and are now world number four. What changed?
Last year I worked a lot. Maybe more than 100 days with my coach Roman. Every camp was around 20 days and we worked at least six to 10 hours every day.
It’s hard work. I believe because of this I became stronger and stronger.
Also, in important tournaments I had some luck. To win huge tournaments like the World Cup and the Candidates, you need luck. But I also played well. I had good preparation and a good team supporting me.
Maybe most chess players do the same, but somehow with me it worked well. Before, I didn’t work with chess that much. From last year, I can really say I started working seriously.
Before, I didn’t work with chess that much. From last year, I can really say I started working seriously.
—Javokhir Sindarov
Less Counter-Strike?
(Laughs) Yes, less Counter-Strike! Before, I also loved chess, but it was hard to find someone who could work with me the right way. When I found Roman, I started believing I could become stronger and stronger.
He connected me with good people and good seconds. Because of these guys, I really became a very strong player.
Have you reflected on your Candidates performance? It was one of the strongest in the event’s history.
During the Candidates, I wasn’t thinking about records. I just wanted to win the tournament. After I won four games in a row, I started believing. Somehow in that tournament I felt like I could see the best moves for both sides. I don’t know why, but only in that tournament.
Somehow in that tournament I felt like I could see the best moves for both sides. I don’t know why, but only in that tournament.
—Javokhir Sindarov
I really played well. After I started so strongly, I wasn’t shocked by the result anymore. Nepomniachtchi scored plus-five in his best Candidates, and I already had plus-five after the first half.
Of course it’s a very impressive result. I don’t know if someone can beat it, but for this level it is huge, and I’m very happy about it.
You’re now world number four. Does that feel like your level?
I gained a lot of rating in the last six months. In general, I feel like I’m definitely a top-10 player. We’ll see how the rating changes. It’s hard to say too much about ratings. I need time to play with this rating.
Your World Championship opponent, Gukesh, has struggled in some recent tournaments. What do you make of that?
When I played him at Tata Steel, I believed he was a super-strong player. If he plays his best chess, then we both have the same chances. Of course, I also need to be at my best.
Maybe his recent tournaments haven’t gone well, but he still has a lot of time to prepare for the World Championship match.
What do you see as Gukesh’s biggest strength?
He’s very good in dynamic positions.
Who is the favorite?
In my opinion, we have the same chances. He has more experience because he already played a World Championship match. But it’s hard to call anyone the favorite. I think it’s 50-50.
It’s hard to call anyone the favorite. I think it’s 50-50.
—Javokhir Sindarov
FIDE recently extended the deadline for selecting a venue. Do you have a preference?
I was thinking about some warm countries. Greece would be good. Cyprus would be very good. Maybe Dubai.
Would you be comfortable playing in India?
Of course. But if I have a choice, I would prefer a neutral place.
Has there been any discussion about Uzbekistan hosting the match?
I think they will think about it. But in my opinion, it’s better to play in a neutral country. Otherwise there would be huge support from one country and also a lot of pressure.
What are your plans for the next few months?
I have a lot of tournaments in the next two or three months. I want to prepare for those events, but of course I will also start working for the match. Right now my focus is to play very well in the Grand Chess Tour.
And the Olympiad?
Of course I am playing in the Olympiad. The goal is to win the tournament. We have a good chance.
Of course I am playing in the Olympiad. The goal is to win the tournament. We have a good chance.
—Javokhir Sindarov
Sindarov most recently played in the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Championships, taking eighth with Uzbekistan in the rapid and bronze in the blitz. He’s set to play in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A., in the inaugural Naroditsky Memorial Rapid & Blitz on July 3-5, with U.S. stars GMs Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, and Hans Niemann among his rivals.