Magnus Carlsen Praises Sindarov's Shocking FIDE Candidates Run: 'Nobody Expects You To...'

• Javokhir Sindarov is having a red-hot run at the FIDE Candidates tournament in Cyprus, positioning himself as a strong contender.
• Sindarov, not an outright favorite, has opened a 1.5-point lead over second-placed Caruana.
• World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen praised the 20-year-old's brilliant performance, calling him a 'dark horse'.
• Sindarov qualified by winning the FIDE World Cup and has defeated top players like R Praggnanandhaa, Caruana, Nakamura, and Wei consecutively.
• Carlsen's own winning streak at the Grenke Chess Festival ended with a draw, causing him to slip to second place.

Key Questions Answered

Can Sindarov maintain his lead in the FIDE Candidates?

Yes, Javokhir Sindarov is maintaining his lead in the FIDE Candidates Tournament. After the fifth round on Friday, April 3, 2026, he has 4.5 points.

What makes Sindarov's performance so unexpected?

Sindarov's performance is unexpected because he was not an outright favorite and nobody anticipated him achieving 4.5 points out of 5. He has maintained a winning momentum and is in sole lead.