Garry Kasparov says Sindarov beating Gukesh could trigger Magnus Carlsen’s World Chess Championship comeback

Chess legend Garry Kasparov feels that Indian world champion D Gukesh losing his title to Javokhir Sindarov could tempt "strongest" player Magnus Carlsen to make a return to the World Chess Championship cycle.

The criticism is the latest in Kasparov's attempt to undermine 19-year-old Gukesh, who has constantly faced questions about his credentials from the former world champion.

Sindarov recently won the Fide Candidates 2026 to become the next world title challenger. The 20-year-old Uzbekistan Grandmaster scripted a blistering tournament in Cyprus as he won the eight-player Candidates without even losing a single game.

'Sindarov clear favourite vs Gukesh': Kasparov 

Sindarov will be challenging Gukesh for the world title later this year in the 2026 World Chess Championship, and Kasparov feels that the Uzbek chess player will be the clear favourite.

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“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," Kasparov told Saint Louis Chess Club.

"Compared to Gukesh, Sindarov looks like the 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.

"Gukesh has match experience, but for Sindarov, this will be his first serious match. Yes, it’s relatively short — 14 games, we’ve played longer games before — but it will still be very interesting."

Kasparov attacks Gukesh again 

Besides predicting the possible outcome of the World Chess Championship, Kasparov once again took a dig at world champion Gukesh, saying that five-time world champion Carlsen remains the best chess player in the world.

Kasparov even went on to add that Sindarov winning the world title will be good for chess, as his quality may tempt world No 1 Carlsen to make a return to Classical chess and the championship race.

"The current World Champion is 19. The challenger is only 20. But I still want to emphasise that the strongest chess player is 35," Kasparov added. "With all due respect. I would love to see Sindarov playing Magnus, because Carlsen is still around. Maybe if Sindarov beats Gukesh, then there will be a chance to bring Magnus back and see how things go.”

Carlsen relinquished the world title in 2022, claiming a lack of interest in the Classical format amid a weak challenge from his competitors. Carlsen has constantly said that he would not return to the World Chess Championship cycle under any condition.