'Gukesh has more experience': Norway Chess Chief Arbiter backs Indian GM to defend world title against Sindarov

Reigning chess world champion Gukesh Dommaraju will be defending his title against Javokhir Sindarov a few months from now, with the latter touted as a favourite following his dominant performance at the Fide Candidates in Cyprus. However, according to the Chief Arbiter of Norway Chess, the tournament that's currently underway in Oslo and is set to conclude later this week, Gukesh has the edge over Sindarov due to his experience.

Despite Sindarov being older than Gukesh by a few months, it's the latter who is more battle-tested when it comes to competing in elite events and handling the pressure of the Fide World Championship – the sport's marquee event.

"Javokhir Sindarov also has experience but as a world champion, you know, Gukesh has more experience, I would say. So, yes, for me he has more experience but the world championship games are really interesting to follow," Anemone Kulczak, who has been officiating in chess since 2013, told news agency Press Trust of India.

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Sindarov's status as the favourite ahead of the current title holder is the result of a red-hot run spanning months during which the Uzbekistani Grandmaster won two major events, having won the Fide World Cup in Goa, India in November.

Gukesh, meanwhile, has gone through a steady decline for the past year, registering underwhelming performances at major events such as the Sinquefield Cup, Fide Grand Swiss and the World Cup last year and the Tata Steel Chess earlier this year.

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Gukesh, who turned 20 last Friday, had become the youngest winner in the history of Candidates as well as the World Championship back in 2024, defeating Chinese GM Ding Liren in Singapore to win the latter. And in a bid to regain his old form ahead of his title defence later this year, the Chennai resident has opted for a lighter schedule in order to focus on his training by withdrawing from this year's Grand Chess Tour.

Kulczak opens up on Carlsen's infamous 'table slam'

Kulczak was also the Chief Arbiter last year, when seven-time champion Magnus Carlsen had slammed his fist on the table in an infamous moment following his sixth-round loss against Gukesh.

"It was me who was watching the Armageddon tie-break when he played against Gukesh... and when he knocked the table," the 41-year-old French arbiter said, reminiscing the moment.

"It was the last game to finish that day so he was not disturbing anyone when he did it so as an arbiter I did not say anything but had some more games been ongoing on other boards I would have told him please do not do this again because you are disturbing other players," Kulczak continued.

As for the latest edition of Norway Chess, which has moved to Oslo from Stavanger this year, Gukesh finds level on 9 points with four others, including world No 1 and defending champion Magnus Carlsen and compatriot R Praggnanandhaa, after seven rounds with another three to go.

With another three rounds to go, Gukesh will be hoping for a strong finish in order to finish in the top half of the table.