Sindarov to perform at a tournament in the US ahead of the World Championship match

Sindarov to play in US tournament ahead of World Championship match

Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov will take part in the prestigious Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown 2026 tournament, which will be held in St. Louis from October 27 to 29. For him, this will be the final test of strength before the World Championship match.

Four grandmasters will take to the boards at the St. Louis Chess Club: Sindarov, Americans Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana, and Indian Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa.

The tournament format promises to be intense: each participant will face three opponents twice — with the white and black pieces. In total, the chess players face six games per day and 18 for the entire tournament. The time control is 10 minutes per game with a five-second increment for each move.

A special feature of the competition is the changing value of a victory. On the first day, one point will be awarded for a won game, on the second day — two points, and on the final day — three points. For a draw, participants will receive half a point and one point, respectively. In addition, cash bonuses are provided for wins: $1,000 on October 27, $2,000 on October 28, and $3,000 on October 29.

The total prize fund of the tournament is $425,000. The winner will receive $125,000, the silver medalist — $94,000, the third-place finisher — $72,000, and the fourth participant — $62,000.

The first games will start on October 27 at 22:00 Tashkent time.

For Sindarov, this tournament holds special significance — it will serve as a dress rehearsal before the decisive match for the world chess crown against Indian Gukesh Dommaraju, which will take place in Geneva from November 22 to December 13.