The organizer of the Chennai Grand Masters, Sreekar Channapragada, shared that Javokhir Sindarov could have participated in the 2026 event. Sreekar explains that Sindarov didn’t play in their event due to a tight schedule, and notes the difficulty of inviting elite players.

Sreekar Channapragada

Sreekar Channapragada

Chennai Grand Masters organizer

“We had contacted Sindarov for this year’s tournament itself, but it did not work out because of the scheduling and his other commitments.

When you are looking at players of this level, their calendars are planned well in advance. There is the World Championship cycle, the Olympiad and several other major tournaments.

It is not simply a matter of deciding on a name and bringing the player in.”

The Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2026 took place from July 16 to 22, at the Westin Chennai Velachery in India. Javokhir Sindarov will play in GCT: Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2026 from July 31 to August 7, and in GCT: Sinquefield Cup 2026 from August 8 to 21.

Credit: Charlotte Chess Center Instagram