AKIPRESS.COM - The 20-year-old Uzbekistani Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov has clinched an early victory at the Candidates Tournament held in Pegeia, Cyprus.

On April 14, during the penultimate 13th round, Sindarov played with the black pieces and secured a draw against one of his primary rivals, Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri. This result brought the Uzbekistani player's total to 9.5 points out of possible 13.

With one round still remaining in the competition, Sindarov has guaranteed his first-place finish as his closest pursuers no longer have even a theoretical chance of catching him.

Consequently, the final 14th round has lost its competitive significance in the battle for the top spot. By winning this tournament, Sindarov has earned the right to challenge the reigning World Chess Champion, 19-year-old Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju, in a match for the world title.