Carlsen Names Sindarov as Clear Favourite, Gukesh Underestimated

Magnus Carlsen just gave a shocking interview when he declared that Javokhir Sindarov is the clear favourite for the upcoming World Chess Championship, while defending champion D Gukesh is merely the underdog. That is not an ordinary assessment. It comes from the man who dominated the chess world for over a decade, who abdicated the throne out of boredom with the system, and who now ignites a new debate. Look at the big picture. Gukesh is only 19, having just become the youngest champion in history. A year ago, he defeated big names and earned his challenger spot. His journey is legendary: India has never had such a pure talent since the time of Viswanathan Anand. But Carlsen says: Sindarov is number one. Why? Because Sindarov comes from Uzbekistan, an emerging chess powerhouse. He possesses solid technical class, superb calculation skills, and – as Carlsen emphasises – rare psychological stability. The king once said: "Sindarov is the type of player who rarely self-destructs." But is that enough to beat Gukesh? Here is the interesting part. Carlsen points out a tactical blind spot: Gukesh has a higher ceiling but is vulnerable when his opponent takes an early psychological advantage. If Sindarov wins the first game, Gukesh could spiral into self-doubt. Conversely, if Gukesh lands an early mental blow, he could turn the entire match around. This is a clash of two generations, two training systems, and two chess philosophies. This match is a turning point for both India and Uzbekistan – a country that is heavily investing in chess as a soft-power tool. Look at the data: Sindarov currently has a higher Elo rating (around 2775), while Gukesh is around 2750 after his coronation. But Carlsen says bluntly: "Elo isn't everything. In a long match, the one who handles pressure better will win." And that sentence is the key. The World Championship format has been criticised for having too many draws. Carlsen once called the format "extraordinarily bad" for determining the best player. But this year, all eyes are on the two young faces. Experts predict a tense match with a high draw rate, but decisive moments will come from creativity rather than pure strength. What happens if Sindarov wins? Uzbekistan will have its first world champion. If Gukesh defends successfully, India will cement its status as a chess superpower. Both scenarios carry historic significance. But I have a different angle: is Carlsen deliberately putting pressure on Gukesh? Having followed Carlsen for years, I know he loves psychological games. By calling Gukesh the "underdog", Carlsen inadvertently lowers expectations for Gukesh, thus reducing pressure. At the same time, Sindarov will have to bear the expectations of a "clear favourite" – which could make him more rigid. So who will win? I dare not say for sure, but one thing is certain: this match will change the face of world chess. If Gukesh wins, Carlsen will have to reconsider his bias. If Sindarov wins, Carlsen will be hailed as a prophet. Let's wait and see. Chess has never been this exciting.