Javokhir Sindarov, a 20-year-old chess prodigy from Uzbekistan, has secured his place in the 2026 FIDE World Championship after drawing with Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri in Round 13 of the Candidates Tournament held at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort. This achievement marks him as only the second Uzbekistani, after Rustam Kasimdzhanov, to compete in a World Championship match. Giri, who was the only player with a chance to catch Sindarov heading into the penultimate round, acknowledged Sindarov's impressive form, stating, 'He’s faster than Gukesh and he’s better prepped than Gukesh.' However, Giri cautioned against making definitive conclusions, noting the unpredictability of young talents. The upcoming championship is expected to be one of the youngest in history, with both competitors in their early twenties. The event is tentatively scheduled for late 2023, although official dates and venue details are still pending.