French grandmaster Vladislav Tkachiev predicts that Javokhir Sindarov will emerge victorious in the upcoming FIDE World Championship 2026. Tkachiev grounds his forecast in historical analysis, noting that the current era belongs to Uzbek chess. He traces the game's origins to India and points out that Persia documented the first formal rules in the 6th century, a region that encompassed present-day Uzbekistan.

Tkachiev references As-Suli, a dominant player from the 9th century in the Baghdad Caliphate who came from the same geographic area near modern Iran. By highlighting these historical connections, Tkachiev suggests that the matchup between defending champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Sindarov represents more than just a competition between two individuals. The pairing echoes the ancient centers of chess development.

The World Championship match will unfold in Geneva, Switzerland, running from November 25 through December 15. Sindarov earned his place by winning the FIDE Candidates Tournament in 2026, setting the stage for what Tkachiev views as a symbolic return of chess to the lands where it first took shape centuries ago.