Newly-crowned FIDE Candidates 2026 winner Javokhir Sindarov has heaped praise on reigning world champion D Gukesh as the two prodigies gear up for a highly-anticipated World Chess Championship clash later this year.

Sindarov, who remained unbeaten throughout tournament, sealed the Candidates title in dominant fashion by reaching 9.5 points by the end of Round 13, finishing with a game to spare.