19-year-old Javokhir Sindarov becomes the youngest ever FIDE World Cup Champion
Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) has created history by becoming the youngest ever to win a FIDE World Cup. He won it at the age of 19 years. The first tie-break Rapid game ended in a draw after Wei Yi (CHN) blundered in the same color bishop endgame. Sindarov missed his opportunity. However, Sindarov won the second tie-break game after Wei could not capitalize on his chance in the complex major piece endgame. Thus, Sindarov brought the biggest individual glory to Uzbekistan, since Rustam Kasimdzhanov became World Champion in 2004. Fun fact: Both World Cup winners - Divya Deshmukh (Women) and Sindarov, won it at the age of 19 years and they are born just a day apart. Hard work definitely brought them success. Maybe destiny too? One thing is for sure as Sindarov mentioned in the post-tournament Press Conference, India and Uzbekistan players are going to fight for the top honors in the near future - Olympiad and World Cup are just the beginning. Photos: Shahid Ahmed
It's the 19-year-old's time to reign
Divya Deshmukh is born on 9th December 2005. She won FIDE Women's World Cup a few months ago. Javokhir Sindarov's birthday is 8th December 2005. He won the World Cup yesterday. It is true that energy and stamina plays a key role in such a long tournament like this but also hard work cannot be forgotten. Another strange fact: Ding Liren (CHN) has lost two World Cup Finals in 2017 and 2019. Now Wei Yi lost in 2025. Among all finalists, Chinese players have made it to the maximum number of finals without winning one.
Sindarov - Wei: 2.5-1.5
GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) got himself a great opportunity in the same color bishop endgame in the first 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game.
Sindarov - Wei, Game 3
30...g5?? was a big mistake 31.Be4! and the resultant pawn endgame would have been winning for White. He missed his chance and played 31.h5 Bf7 32.g4 Be6 33.Be4 and the game ended in a draw in another dozen more moves.
In the second 15'+10" Rapid game, Sindarov opted for Two Knights' Defence with the black pieces.
Wei - Sindarov, Game 4
52.Qg6 would have given White a firm control of the position. Instead, he opted for 52.g4 Rf1 53.Kg3 Rae1 54.Re2 Rxe2 55.Qxe2 Be7 56.Bxe7 Qxe7
57.Rxd4?? Qh4+ and it's over for White 58.Kf4 Re1 59.Qg2 Qg5+ 60.Kg3 Qe3+ Black won the game and the World Cup.
For more Tie-break and Prize distribution ceremony photos, please click here.
