Prince’s gambit: 19-year-old Sindarov is crowned youngest chess WC winner

The glint in Javokhir Sindarov's eyes, more childlike than champion-like, beamed brighter than the glitter on the trophy moments after the Chess World Cup final.

- Rutvick Mehta

"When I saw it for the first time, I thought, 'Oh, it's a very beautiful trophy'," Sindarov said in his interview with FIDE, placing his hand on it for a split second.

That trophy, named after Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, is now his.

The 19-year-old Grandmaster from Uzbekistan was crowned champion of the 2025 World Cup by defeating Chinese GM Wei Yi in the tiebreaks on Wednesday.

The tournament was held in Anand's country for the first time since 2002 and by the beaches of Goa.

Sindarov became the youngest World Cup champion. Outside the playing arena, he was embraced by his family and team, who wrapped an Uzbek flag around his shoulders. He also sealed a spot in next year's Candidates to determine the challenger to world champion D Gukesh. This World Cup, marked by top prospects faltering and seeds tumbling, turned out to be a dream for the 16th seed with a rating of 2,721.

After drawing the two classical games with the higher-rated and more experienced Yi, Sindarov won the second rapid tiebreak to clinch the final 2.5-1.5 and the crown previously held by Magnus Carlsen.