Prince’s gambit: Sindarov, 19, is crowned youngest chess WC winner

Sindarov won the second rapid tie-break to clinch the final 2.5-1.5 and the crown previously held by Magnus Carlsen

The glint in Javokhir Sindarov’s eyes, more child-like than champion-like, beamed brighter than the glitter on the trophy as he took a first glance at it, moments after the Chess World Cup final.

Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov during a game against China’s Wei Yi at the Fide Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa. (PTI)

“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