Former world champion Garry Kasparov has stirred fresh debate around Magnus Carlsen’s potential return to the World Championship cycle, linking it directly to the outcome of the upcoming clash between Javokhir Sindarov and D Gukesh.
Garry Kasparov, known for his sharp takes, didn’t hold back while assessing the current form of both players.
According to him, Javokhir Sindarov’s win in the Candidates 2026 has been nothing short of exceptional.
Garry Kasparov said, “The way he won the Candidates was very impressive. I must say, it’s hard to impress me. But the way Sindarov played – his timing, the quality of his moves, his ability to withstand pressure and increase the pressure on his opponents was exceptional.”
Garry Kasparov on Sindarov vs Gukesh
Javokhir Sindarov dominated the Candidates tournament in Cyprus, going unbeaten and building a strong lead early on. His aggressive yet composed style has made many view him as the favourite, including Garry Kasparov, heading into the World Championship match.
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But Garry Kasparov also mentioned that “Compared to Gukesh, if you look at the games, Sindarov looks like the clear favourite. But this match is a special format. Gukesh is very mentally stable, able to defend any position and find resources even in the worst situations.”
While Sindarov enters uncharted territory with his first long-format title match, Gukesh already has match experience, something that could prove crucial in a 14-game contest.
Kasparov also highlighted the contrasting journeys of both. He said, “Sindarov will benefit greatly from playing against stronger opponents because he’s just entered the elite. I think Sindarov is more like someone having this meteoric rise.”
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On the other hand, Gukesh’s biggest strength lies in his ability to survive tough positions.
“A match is a match, and Gukesh is very resilient. He has a phenomenal ability to defend almost any position and just to look for the last remaining resources in virtually any position.”
Magnus Carlsen Comeback Depends on Sindarov’s result
The biggest point came when Garry Kasparov brought Magnus Carlsen into the picture
He said, “The current World Champion is 19. The challenger is only 20. But I still want to emphasize that the strongest chess player (Carlsen) is 35. With all due respect. I would love to see Sindarov playing Magnus, because Carlsen is still around.”
He continued, “Maybe if Sindarov beats Gukesh, then there will be a chance to bring Magnus back and see how things go.”
Magnus Carlsen, who stepped away from the World Championship cycle after his fifth title in 2022, has remained active but has shown no interest in reclaiming the crown.
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The Sindarov vs Gukesh World Championship clash is already shaping up to be a generational battle. But Kasparov’s comments have added a possibility of Magnus Carlsen stepping back into the spotlight.
Also Read: Vincent Keymer on Javokhir Sindarov’s Candidates 2026 Win: ‘He Just Got Lucky’
