My goal is to be in the top five for the next ten years and cross a 2800 rating - Javokhir Sindarov

Sindarov vs Nakamura: Round Five Press Conference Analysis

At a press conference for the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament, grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov detailed his impressive victory over Hikaru Nakamura. Sindarov attributed his win to rigorous opening preparation in the Marshall Gambit, which allowed him to maintain a significant time advantage throughout the game. He noted that Nakamura’s decision to spend over an hour on a single move ultimately led to a tactical disadvantage and a losing position. The young player also discussed his daily routine, involving video games like Counter-Strike to manage mental pressure and maintain his energy levels. By securing this win, Sindarov climbed to fifth in the world rankings, bringing him closer to his long-term goal of remaining a top-tier competitor. He concluded by expressing confidence in his strategic preparation for the remaining rounds of the tournament. You can watch the full interview here - Sindarov after beating Nakamura: “I had a better position and an extra hour on the clock!”

Moderator: Welcome to the round five press conference of the FIDE Candidates 2026. I'm joined by Javokhir Sindarov, who just won his game against Hikaru Nakamura with the black pieces. Javokhir, that was an intense game where you went for an absolute mess right out of the opening with the Marshall Gambit. Was this the plan, and did it go well?

Javokhir Sindarov: Yes, I had a lot of time to prepare yesterday and I prepped the Marshall line against him. I expected he might play Nf3 to avoid e4, but he wanted to check the lines. He probably forgot the move Nd4 after Ng3 and castling. Once he played h4, I realised I was better and had an extra hour on the clock, so I just focused on avoiding small tactics.

Moderator: You’ve been playing the triangle system for a while now. Did you feel Hikaru was trying to lure you into this very tricky gambit?

Sindarov: This gambit is very tricky; if you forget one line, you can lose immediately. But I checked everything with black yesterday. I was actually surprised when he played d4 today—I expected an Italian or a Ruy Lopez for a long game—but I was prepared for d4 as well.

Moderator: Hikaru took sixty-sevn minutes for h4, which is the second longest turn in Candidates history. what was going through your mind during that hour?

Sindarov: I was thinking that Nd4 was the only move that could give him an advantage. When he played h4, the tables turned. I was already better with a massive time advantage. While the position looked scary at first, white didn't really have anything and I was on time everywhere.

Moderator: This is the second time you've had a winning position and stayed in total control. How do you manage your emotions and nerves in these critical moments?

Sindarov: Today I didn't have any problems because I had plenty of time to calculate everything. When you are in a winning position, you have to stay confident and believe in your moves. I didn't feel any pressure once I got the advantage.

Charize (from the floor): Before the tournament, you said your goal was to enter the top five. You are now ranked fifth in the world after this victory. What is your new goal?

Sindarov: The tournament is still going, and I need to focus on the remaining nine rounds. I hope to keep this rating until the end. My broader goal is to be in the top five for the next ten years and cross a 2800 rating.

Hamburg (from the floor): Do you have a photographic memory that allows you to keep all these variations straight?

Sindarov: I don't think I have a photographic memory. I just spend a lot of time with preparation. I work very hard with my seconds, including Muin. I feel comfortable when I know how to play in every situation.

Question from the floor: How do you spend your rest days, and what do you do to relax?

Sindarov: Yesterday I played paddle and slept very well. I also spend time playing video games for about 30 to 60 minutes. I am a big fan of Counter-Strike and play on my own laptop.

Moderator: You mentioned you have four black games out of the next five, and that this is "easier" to prep. Why is that?

Sindarov: It is not exactly "easy," but with black, you can repeat your lines. If I repeat a line against Hikaru, and another opponent plays that same line, I don't need to prep it again. I am in a very good tournament situation right now.

Question from the floor: You seem to have a lot of energy. Do you have a specific routine to save energy for these long games?

Sindarov: I don't sleep right before a game, but I usually sleep until I wake up naturally, around 12:30 or 1:00 PM. During important tournaments, I spend a lot of time at night preparing.

Moderator: On that note, you are currently leading the tournament by at least one full point. Congratulations, Javokhir! Best of luck in the next round.

Sindarov: Thank you.

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