Panaji, 26 November. Uzbekistan Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov defeated the competition’s highest-seeded Chinese GM Wei Yi in a tiebreak here on Wednesday to become the youngest FIDE World Cup 2025 champion.

Wins Viswanathan Anand Cup with prize money of $1.20 lakh

The 19-year-old Sindarov defeated Wei with black in the second rapid game of the tiebreak and became the first Uzbek chess player to win the World Cup. In this sequence, he won the new Viswanathan Anand Cup along with prize money of $120,000.

82 of countries 206 Players won world titles and candidates 2026 Tried out for 3 spots in

It is noteworthy that the FIDE World Cup 2025 was played as a single-elimination knock-out tournament and 206 players from 82 countries tried to win one competition and get three places in Candidates 2026.

In the final, Sindarov drew early two classical games against Wei and relied on his rapid skills to win against a player who had not lost a single classical game in the competition.

Wei was once again strong with the black pieces in the first tiebreak game and the timing engine showed that Sindarov only had a chance to win in the bishop-pawn endgame, but his very next move brought the game back into balance.

In the second rapid game, Wei Yi gave up after the 60th round.

In the second rapid game, Sindarov began to pressure Wei’s kingside from the middle game and then pinned his opponent’s king while inflicting damage with his queen. The Chinese player finally conceded defeat after the 60th move and the Uzbek became the youngest player to win the GM World Cup.

Champion Sindarov said – ,Today my plan was solid,

After winning the title, Sindarov said, ‘Today, my plan was to remain solid, whether the time control was 15-15 or 10-10. In the second game, I felt he (Wei Yi) was not confident and it was time for me to take my chances. My position was difficult and I even offered them a draw. But he decided to play to win, but he had very little time and he missed my attack.

,I am happy to be the youngest champion, but this is just the beginning of my career.,

When asked about becoming the youngest World Cup champion, Sindarov said, ‘I am very happy with it. But according to me, this is just the beginning of my career. I want to become a 2750 player first and then play many tournaments and world championships. But I am very happy to be here and I will try to play my best in the candidates also.

,India is proving lucky for me,

Sindarov also talked about how beneficial playing in India has been for him and how India and Uzbekistan can compete for many honors in the future. He said, ‘India seems to be bringing a lot of luck. Yes, last time I was in India I won the Olympiad. Three years later, I have won the World Cup. I am very happy.’

,There are many excellent players in India and the young generation is also progressing rapidly.,

He also said, ‘There are many great players in India and the young generation is also progressing very fast. In the next 10 years we will fight hard for the Olympiad and many other tournaments.