A small corridor cordoned off by nearly 10 bouncers, there stood a little less ecstatic but more relieved 19-year-old Javokhir Sindarov. He was soon greeted by loud chants of “champion… champion…” as his eyes gazed at the crowd for his family. The search ended when he melted into the arms of his grandmother, Jamil Sindarova. For Javokhir, who defeated China’s Wei Yi in the tiebreaks and became the youngest-ever winner of the FIDE Chess World Cup, a special moment became sweeter.
For Javokhir, his grandparents’ presence was a surprise orchestrated by his brother, Islambek. The plan was set in motion when, after over three weeks in India, Javokhir craved chocolates from home and called his brother to bring some to Goa. Islambek arrived ahead of the semifinals, but he brought more than just chocolate, taking their grandparents, too.
When asked if she considered herself a lucky charm for her grandson, who has had a spectacular month in India, the 62-year-old Jamila’s answer was immediate: “Albatta… albatta (of course). I am just very happy and excited. I wish every grandmother could see a day like this. I feel I have become a champion myself,” she shared.
Javokhir Sindarov with his grandmother. (Express Photo | Mayank Chaudhary )
An overwhelmed Jamil said she always believed Javokhir had the spark to become a world-beater. She also thanked the hundreds of Indians who flocked to her grandson, making his special day even more indelible.
Meanwhile, Javokhir Sindarov’s love affair with India has continued to yield success. At 16, he won an Olympiad gold medal; three years later, he is set to return from the land of chaturanga, where chess originated, as one of the youngest Candidates qualifiers.
Just outside the playing venue, the two sides of competitive life were on full display. On one side, Javokhir’s grandparents, brother, best friend, and a group of Uzbek journalists were thrilled. On the other hand, an otherwise cheerful Xu Xiangyu, Wei Yi’s friend and the captain of the Chinese contingent, waited anxiously alone for confirmation of the loss. A moment later, Wei Yi emerged, still obliging a few children with autographs before leaving with Xu in a flash.
Breaking the Chinese wall
To make history, Sindarov had to breach the formidable Chinese defence not once, but twice. Facing two of the circuit’s most positionally astute players, he relied on his feisty attacking style to break through. After defeating Yu Yangyi in the fourth round, he faced Wei Yi in the summit clash.
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“There were quite a few tough games, but Wei Yi and Yu Yangyi are exceptionally solid players,” said the newly minted World Cup winner. “We spent a lot of time preparing for the openings. I wasn’t under much pressure against Wei Yi since I had already qualified for the Candidates. But against Yu Yangyi, I was very nervous, unsure of which line to choose.”
This is where another 19-year-old Uzbek, Javokhir’s coeval and Second, Mukhiddin Madaminov, proved instrumental. Madaminov was phenomenal in helping Sindarov prepare creative openings for these critical matches.
The World Cup is an event that demands the highest level of preparation repeatedly over a month. It is a test of endurance where players must conserve energy and outlast their opponents. Sindarov displayed elite preparation throughout 25 tiring games, and his depth of analysis even surprised legendary Hungarian Grandmaster Peter Leko.
Javokhir Sindarov with Grandmother Jamil Sindarova. (Michal Walusza/FIDE)
“Sindarov was just enjoying this tiebreak. It seemed there was no pressure on him,” Leko told The Indian Express. “He revealed that he had ideas specially prepared for the blitz portion, which shows how much he was looking forward to it. He proved he was also the better player in short time controls.”
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By his own admission, Javokhir was preparing five to six hours daily. By the final against Wei Yi, he was so well-prepared that he had specific plans for the potential blitz tiebreaks, ensuring he was ready to fight through two classical, two 15+10 rapid, then two 10+10 rapid segments, and two blitz games without faltering.
A National Hero
In Uzbekistan, as in India, chess players are treated as national heroes after victories of this magnitude. Minutes after Javokhir clinched the World Cup, his camp sprang into action. His grandfather, Komil Sindarov, who had been busy repeating “rahmat, rahmat” (thank you) to well-wishers while in a tracksuit, changed into professional attire. A two-member Uzbek media team quickly set up a corner for him and his victorious grandson’s live interaction with the head of state.
The Olympiad gold medal-winning team in 2022 had been rewarded with a car, a flat, and a reported sum of 600 million soms ($50,000). Javokhir’s victory in Goa has now sparked a similar wave of celebrations back home. The chess media platform Uzchess created a fan zone in Tashkent, where hundreds of supporters gathered to celebrate their new national hero.
