German GM Vincent Keymer shared his opinion on the FIDE World Championship 2026. Keymer says Javokhir Sindarov and Gukesh Dommaraju have equal chances, and discusses the strength of elite grandmasters.

Vincent Keymer

Vincent Keymer

Germany's No. 1

“The Sindarov vs. Gukesh match? I give it 50-50.

Of course, Sindarov is in fantastic form now. But in chess things change very fast. For example, in July-August last year, Abdusattorov had 2770+ and I had 2730+. Then after the World Cup, I had 2776, and he had 2735. Now Nodirbek is back at 2800+.

If after the World Cup someone asked whether Javokhir is in the Top-5, many would say no due to a slump. Now everyone says: ‘Of course! He is winning almost everything’. But everything comes in phases because all players are very strong. No one is much better or much worse.

Matches are a specific thing. Preparation, nerves and other things… Gukesh and Sindarov are still very young, we must not forget that. This is just the start of their careers. Everything can turn quickly in any direction.

People are too easily overestimated and just as easily underestimated after a bad phase.”

The FIDE World Championship 2026 is the crowning match to determine the World Champion. Match features defending Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov, the winner of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026. The location and date of the match will be announced by FIDE later this year.

Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE