Rustam Kasimdzhanov added to his opinion on the FIDE World Championship 2026. Kasimdzhanov believes that the outcome of the match is unpredictable. Rustam cites Ding Liren’s performance before the match against Ian Nepomniachtchi in 2023 as an example. Kasimdzhanov spoke about in an interview with Gazeta Uz.

Rustam Kasimdzhanov

Rustam Kasimdzhanov

Uzbekistan's Olympiad team captain

“[Question: Do you not share the common opinion that Gukesh has not been in form for a year and will soon even leave the 2700 club?]

That is not even the point. We saw a year of Gukesh out of form. But on the other hand, before that we saw a year of Ding Liren out of form.

Ding Liren could not play at all. And then, when the World Championship match began, suddenly everything became very tense, if you remember.

The World Championship match is a rather unique thing, where absolutely anything can happen. There you need to cope with the pressure and nerves.

I do not want to say that Javokhir’s nerves are worse than Gukesh’s. I just want to emphasize the uniqueness of this event, and that all the conversations that happen before it usually doesn’t even come close to reflecting the reality that awaits us.”

Rustam Kasimdzhanov believes that the discussion about the match’s odds stresses Javokhir Sindarov. Rustam noted that the prediction voiced by Sindarov is ‘psychologically optimized’.

Gukesh Dommaraju finished 8th/10th at the Sinquefield Cup 2025, 41st at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, and was eliminated in the 3rd round of the FIDE World Cup 2025. In February he finished 9th at the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2026. In March he finished last at the Prague International Chess Festival. In the end of the May Gukesh finished last at the Norway Chess 2026, and in July he finished last at the Chennai Grand Masters 2026.

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 match will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from November 25 to December 15.

Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE