Peter Svidler has weighed in on the matchup between defending champion Gukesh Dommaraju and challenger Javokhir Sindarov for the FIDE World Championship 2026. The Russian grandmaster and commentator believes that assigning Sindarov a 60 percent winning probability is too generous. Svidler expressed his view that 55 percent represents a more appropriate assessment of the challenger's chances.

Svidler acknowledged the strong recent form that Dommaraju has displayed, yet he emphasized the unpredictable nature of match play as a format. Despite recognizing the defending champion's capabilities, Svidler stopped short of pushing Sindarov's odds any higher than the 55-45 split he proposed. The match will determine who holds the world title following the Candidates Tournament.

The championship encounter between Dommaraju and Sindarov takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, running from November 25 through December 15. Sindarov earned his position by winning the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, securing the right to challenge for the crown.