Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov commented on his second-place finish at the 2026 Tata Steel Masters in an interview with the tournament organizers on February 1. Sindarov noted his delight with his result and mentioned the victory of his compatriot Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

Javokhir Sindarov

Javokhir Sindarov

Uzbek GM

“I’m very happy to finish the tournament with a win and I think I played very well. It’s a little sad that I didn’t get to the Blitz tiebreak, but I’m still very happy for my friend Abdusattorov.

Nodirbek really deserves it. This is his fourth time playing here and he’s always finished second or third, but now he’s finally won the tournament and I’m really happy for him. I think he played absolutely amazing in this tournament.

First and second place go to Uzbekistan — that’s incredible!”

The Tata Steel Chess Masters 2026 took place in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands from January 17 to February 1. Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov scored 4 wins and 9 draws without a single loss and finished second with 8.5/13 points. In 2026, Sindarov competed at the Tata Steel Masters for the first time.

Credit: Lennart Ootes/Tata Steel Chess