Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov remained unbeaten and clinched the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, defeating several top-ranked opponents, which also included Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana (Pic: X/@FIDE_chess)

The triumph will now help him lock horns with incumbent world champion D Gukesh in the highly anticipated World Chess Championship (Pic: X/@FIDE_chess)

Speaking about him, Sindarov said, "He’s the youngest champion in history and, of course, one of the best players in the world. He has a lot of strong skills and it will be a very exciting match. I will be very excited for this match and he has a very good team. I will just say good luck to him" (Pic: X/@FIDE_chess)

On the other hand, India's Grandmaster R Vaishali registered a dominating victory over Kateryna Lagno in the final of the Women's Candidates Tournament (Pic: X/@FIDE_chess)

She was also raising the showpiece with pride during the award ceremony of the FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates at Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort. Vaishali will also face China's Ju Wenjun in the World Championship (Pic: File Pic)