Sindarov defeats Gukesh in style, barely reacts after avenging loss against world champion in Warsaw | Watch

Reigning world champion D Gukesh had defeated Javokhir Sindarov in emphatic fashion in their first meeting since the latter won the Fide Candidates tournament in Cyprus, laying down the marker for the World Championship showdown between these two youngsters later this year.

Uzbekistani Grandmaster Sindarov, however, bounced back in style two days after his defeat against Gukesh during the Rapid leg of the Super Rapid and Blitz Poland tournament in Warsaw. On the opening day of the Blitz section of the tournament, Sindarov once again found himself playing with white pieces against the individual whom he will be challenging for his Classical world title.

This time, it was Sindarov winning the game in clinical fashion, forcing a resignation from the Indian GM in 38 moves.

What was even more impressive about Sindarov was the fact that unlike Gukesh, who did a little fist pump in a rare display of emotion after his victory on Wednesday, he barely reacted after his victory in the eighth round of the Blitz event.

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The latest Sindarov vs Gukesh clash witnessed a Giuoco Piano opening after the former decided to advance his King's pawn forward, and was on fairly level terms until Gukesh committed a blunder with his Queen in his 15th move (15. Qe7).

The game quickly swung in Sindarov's favour and there was no looking back for the Uzbekistani GM, who managed to corner Gukesh's King with a knight and a rook, with the Indian also succumbing to time pressure.

Though he finished a creditable fourth in the Rapid section of the tournament, Gukesh was off to a scratchy start in Blitz – a format he has had the least success in – suffering four defeats in nine games including against Fabiano Caruana, currently ranked third in the Fide Classical ratings.

Not all doom and gloom for Gukesh on Day 4 in Warsaw

The day, however, wasn't all gloomy for Gukesh, who also collected three wins, including against Blitz world No 3 Wesley So and fellow American GM Hans Niemann. He currently finds himself sharing the fifth spot with three others, including Sindarov and So, and is fifth in the overall standings with 13 points across the Rapid and Blitz categories with one more day to go.

Gukesh had earlier withdrawn from the Grand Chess Tour in order to try and regain his form ahead of his title defence against Sindarov later this year. Interestingly, GCT had announced Sindarov as his replacement, though this was before the 20-year-old won the Candidates win dominant fashion.