Sindarov plays down Gukesh clash ahead of Warsaw showdown: 'He is also doing the same...'

Javokhir Sindarov has played down the hype around his upcoming clash with D Gukesh at the Super Rapid and Blitz Poland 2026 in Warsaw, saying he is not thinking too much about the encounter.

The much-anticipated face-off between Sindarov and Gukesh is set to take place on May 6, where they will meet in one rapid game. They are also slated to clash in two blitz games later in the tournament. Fans are especially excited as the two young stars are also set to battle for the World Chess Championship title later this year.

Sindarov earned the right to challenge Gukesh after winning the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, making this clash an early preview of their bigger showdown, which is expected to take place in November-December.

Sindarov says he is not thinking about the Gukesh match

However, the Uzbek grandmaster made it clear that he is approaching the match like any other game. "I am not thinking a lot about this game because it is a completely different game, completely different time control, and completely different situation," Sindarov told ChessBase India.

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He added that both players are likely focused on their current tournaments rather than their upcoming World Championship match. "In my option, he is also doing the same because we have an important match at the end of the year and right now we just need to focus on our next tournaments and trying to play just good chess and don't think a lot about what can happen in this tournament," he said.

Sindarov also stressed that his goal is simple - to play good chess regardless of the opponent. "I will just try to play good chess against him and against other opponents," he added.

The 2025 Chess World Cup winner dominated the Candidates last month, finishing at the top of the eight-player field to qualify for the World Championship clash. He is being tipped as the favourite to win the world title, as Gukesh has been in poor form over the past few months.