Mukhiddin Madaminov

Uzbek GM, Javokhir Sindarov’s second

“Honestly, I didn’t expect such a result. But I think I played this tournament very well. Overall, I am very satisfied with my play. And I want to thank the organizers, my coaches, my parents, and everyone who believed in me and supported me.

I think working with Sindarov helped me a lot. Even after the World Cup, I played a tournament and performed well, finishing second. And then, after the Candidates Tournament, this is my first tournament, and I also played it well. I think it benefits me: I help him, and at the same time, I gain experience myself.

But the opening preparations we make for him — I cannot use them. In general, there are very few opening preparations now, and they usually need to be saved for matches, for the Candidates, for important events.”