Modi Gifts Sindarov’s World Cup Scoresheet to Uzbekistan President

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev the original handwritten scoresheet of Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov from the final of the 2025 FIDE World Cup, held in Goa, India. The presentation took place during diplomatic engagements ahead of Uzbekistan’s hosting of the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand from September 15 to 27, framing the gesture as a symbol of sporting goodwill between the two countries.

The scoresheet, preserved inside a leatherette cover along with a photograph, commemorates Sindarov’s triumph on Indian soil. It was handed over alongside a picture of the Uzbek grandmaster holding the World Cup trophy with the Uzbekistan flag draped around his shoulders.

From Goa Triumph to Global Stage

Sindarov defeated China’s Wei Yi in the final of the 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa to become the youngest FIDE World Cup Champion. The victory secured him a place in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which he went on to win, earning the right to challenge reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India in the 2026 World Chess Championship scheduled for Geneva later this year.

Born in 2005, Sindarov earned the Grandmaster title at the age of 12 and represented Uzbekistan in the gold-medal-winning squad at the 2022 Chess Olympiad, establishing himself as one of the country’s leading players well before his World Cup breakthrough.

A Symbolic Gesture

All India Chess Federation chief Nitin Narang described the presentation as an instance of chess diplomacy, noting that a simple record of moves had become part of a broader India-Uzbekistan story. His remarks were shared via social media on September 1, highlighting how the gift extended beyond a personal memento into a statement of bilateral sporting relations.

The choice of a handwritten scoresheet carried additional weight given the historical significance of the match and the youthful profile of the champion. Sindarov’s win in Goa marked a milestone for Uzbekistan chess and added a notable chapter to the country’s growing presence in elite international competition.

Looking Ahead to Samarkand

The gesture comes at a pivotal moment for both nations. Uzbekistan is set to host the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand from September 15 to 27, with India’s men’s and women’s teams expected to defend the gold medals they won at the previous edition. The convergence of the diplomatic exchange and the upcoming Olympiad underscores the role chess has come to play in the relationship between New Delhi and Tashkent.

For Sindarov, attention now turns to the next chapter of his career: a World Championship match against Gukesh in Geneva that promises to be one of the most anticipated contests of the 2026 chess calendar.

Source

This report is based on information published by The Bridge — Chess.

Official source: https://thebridge.in/chess/pm-modi-gift-sindarov-scoresheet-uzbekistan-president-57436