Watch: 19-year-old Javokhir Sindarov’s winning moment as he becomes youngest FIDE World Cup winner

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New Delhi: Uzbekistan’s chess sensation Javokhir Sindarov has entered the history books. The 19-year-old amazed everyone as he became the youngest ever player to win the FIDE World Cup after defeating China’s Wei Yi in a tense tiebreak finale in Goa on Wednesday. The victory smashed Levon Aronian’s previous benchmark who won the tournament at 23 and announced a new star ready to take over world chess.

Sindarov’s rise has never been ordinary. He earned his Grandmaster title at just 12 and in Goa, he showed once again why he is considered one of the brightest talents around. In the tournament, he was seeded 16th at the start. From there on, he kept knocking off challenges and big names one by one, while many higher seeds fell earlier in the competition.

The final went into the rapid tiebreaks, where nerves are often the difference. Sindarov had a chance to clinch the first game but missed a one-move win. Instead of letting the moment consume him, he rested and approached the second rapid game with remarkable composure. He was playing with black and waited patiently for his opponent’s time pressure to take effect, and struck when Wei Yi faltered with just seconds left on the clock.

That final slip finally handed Sindarov the World Cup crown and a handsome $120,000 winner’s cheque and Wei Yi finished runner-up with $85,000.

A new generation taking over

This victory carries even more significance for the future of chess. It continues a remarkable trend of teenagers ruling the global stage. Indian star Gukesh D became the youngest World Champion last year while Divya Deshmukh claimed the Women’s Chess World Cup title earlier this season, and now Sindarov joins the list.

He has also secured his place in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which will mark the final step before fighting for the world title. With confidence soaring and history already rewritten at 19, Javokhir Sindarov isn’t just the future of chess infact he is very much the present.

Watch: 19-year-old Javokhir Sindarov’s winning moment as he becomes youngest FIDE World Cup winner

by

New Delhi: Uzbekistan’s chess sensation Javokhir Sindarov has entered the history books. The 19-year-old amazed everyone as he became the youngest ever player to win the FIDE World Cup after defeating China’s Wei Yi in a tense tiebreak finale in Goa on Wednesday. The victory smashed Levon Aronian’s previous benchmark who won the tournament at 23 and announced a new star ready to take over world chess.

Sindarov’s rise has never been ordinary. He earned his Grandmaster title at just 12 and in Goa, he showed once again why he is considered one of the brightest talents around. In the tournament, he was seeded 16th at the start. From there on, he kept knocking off challenges and big names one by one, while many higher seeds fell earlier in the competition.

The final went into the rapid tiebreaks, where nerves are often the difference. Sindarov had a chance to clinch the first game but missed a one-move win. Instead of letting the moment consume him, he rested and approached the second rapid game with remarkable composure. He was playing with black and waited patiently for his opponent’s time pressure to take effect, and struck when Wei Yi faltered with just seconds left on the clock.

That final slip finally handed Sindarov the World Cup crown and a handsome $120,000 winner’s cheque and Wei Yi finished runner-up with $85,000.

A new generation taking over

This victory carries even more significance for the future of chess. It continues a remarkable trend of teenagers ruling the global stage. Indian star Gukesh D became the youngest World Champion last year while Divya Deshmukh claimed the Women’s Chess World Cup title earlier this season, and now Sindarov joins the list.

He has also secured his place in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which will mark the final step before fighting for the world title. With confidence soaring and history already rewritten at 19, Javokhir Sindarov isn’t just the future of chess infact he is very much the present.