Uzbekistan’s teenage prodigy Javokhir Sindarov scripted history in Goa on Wednesday, becoming the youngest-ever Chess World Cup champion after edging China’s Wei Yi in a tense rapid tiebreak finale.
Starting as the 16th seed, Sindarov survived a tournament that saw major favourites tumble early. He battled compatriot Nodirbek Yakubboev in a hard-fought semifinal, advancing only after tiebreaks. Both Sindarov and Wei qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament by reaching the final. The championship was decided in rapid chess, where Sindarov clinched the trophy by winning the second 15′ +10″ game. His victory marks a generational shift, making him the third teenager to secure a major world title within a year.