American GM Wesley So shared his opinion about Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov. Wesley believes Sindarov could overtake Hikaru Nakamura in the FIDE ratings by the end of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, noting the rating difference between them before the tournament.

Wesley So

Wesley So

American GM

“By the time Candidates is over Sindarov might be even higher rated than Hikaru Nakamura.

Before the tournament he was 65 points higher!”

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 takes place from March 28 to April 16, at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus. Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov leads the tournament and holds 5th place (2770.2) in the live rating, gaining 25.2 points during the event. American GM Hikaru Nakamura holds 3rd place (2793.3), losing 16.7 points. The difference between the GMs is 23.1 points.

Credit: Yoav Nisenbaum / FIDE