Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov prepares for world championship at Cyprus resort

Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov has returned to the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort in Paphos, Cyprus, to finalize his preparations for the 2026 FIDE World Championship Match. The 20-year-old chess player, currently ranked number four in the world with a FIDE rating of 2778, will face the reigning champion, Gukesh D. from India, in a high-stakes match scheduled to take place in Geneva from November 22 to December 12, 2026.

The choice of location is highly symbolic for Sindarov, who secured his spot in the world championship by winning the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 at the same venue earlier this year. During that tournament, he achieved a record-breaking performance in the modern era of the competition, finishing undefeated with 10 points out of 14 games. Following his victory, the resort honored him by naming a suite after him, where he previously resided from October 5 to October 21, 2026. This training period marks a critical phase in his career as he attempts to claim the ultimate title in international chess.