New Delhi: Nineteen-year-old Javokhir Sindarov created a landmark moment in Goa by becoming the youngest player in history to win the FIDE World Cup. The Uzbek prodigy claimed the title after a tense tiebreak victory over China’s Wei Yi in the 2025 final.
Entering the event as the sixteenth seed, Sindarov advanced through a challenging field where several top contenders exited early. His path to the championship included a hard-fought semifinal win over compatriot Nodirbek Yakubboev, secured only after tiebreak games. By reaching the final, both Sindarov and Wei Yi earned qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
The opening classical game saw Wei testing Sindarov with the Petrov Defense, eventually steering the contest into a marginally favourable bishop-pawn endgame. Sindarov defended with precision, neutralising every threat until the players agreed to a draw after 50 moves.
The title was decided in the rapid tiebreaks, where Sindarov’s composure proved decisive. He outplayed Wei in the second 15′ 10″ game, securing the victory with confident and accurate play. The win earned him a prize of 120,000 dollars from the two million dollar prize pool.
Sindarov’s achievement adds to a transformative year for chess, following major world titles won by other teenage talents including D. Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh. The 2025 World Cup began on October 28 with 206 participants, culminating in a historic finish that underscored the rise of a new generation
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