Javokhir Sindarov’s coach Roman Vidonyak, however, feels that becoming world champion isn’t everything in the sport, and that Gukesh must aim higher.
I think in his mind was to be world champion at highest goal, but it’s not right for Super Grandmaster to have highest goal to achieve world champion,” Vidonyak told ChessBase India.
Third step is to win World Championship, but it’s not the last step,” he continued, referring to the plan that he had made for Sindarov.
“And to be a stronger chess player in the world is a very important goal, very hard goal.
And I think Gukesh arrived (at) his last step to be world champion.
Gukesh Dommaraju had made history in December 2024 by becoming the youngest champion in chess history, fulfilling a life-long dream in the process. Javokhir Sindarov’s coach Roman Vidonyak, however, feels that becoming world champion isn’t everything in the sport, and that Gukesh must aim higher.
Javokhir Sindarov will be challenging D Gukesh for his world title later this year after winning the Candidates in dominant fashion recently. Image credit: Grand Chess Tour
Gukesh Dommaraju had fulfilled his dream of becoming the youngest world champion in chess history in December 2024, defeating Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren in the World Championship showdown in Singapore to break the previous record held by Garry Kasparov. And around six months from now, the Indian GM will be defending his title against Javokhir Sindarov, the Uzbekistani GM who won the Candidates recently in dominant fashion.
Gukesh’s form, however, has taken a bit of a beating for nearly a year now, with the 19-year-old failing to make an impact at major tournaments such as the Fide Grand Swiss and the World Cup, as well as at Tata Steel Chess earlier this year.
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According to Sindarov’s coach Roman Vidonyak, Gukesh simply has had a “wrong goal setting” – in that he had his sights set on becoming the world champion and not thinking about the journey beyond.
“I think it was wrong goal setting. I think in his mind was to be world champion at highest goal, but it’s not right for Super Grandmaster to have highest goal to achieve world champion,” Vidonyak told ChessBase India.
“I spoke about our four steps, our four goals. We (have) done two steps. It was qualify for the Candidates, to win the Candidates. Third step is to win World Championship, but it’s not the last step,” he continued, referring to the plan that he had made for Sindarov.
Sindarov’s coach urges Gukesh to dominate chess like Kasparov, Carlsen
The International Master also feels that while Gukesh has had an incredible run so far, he is yet to achieve the highest feat in the sport – establishing himself as the world’s most dominant player in the world and ruling the sport like Kasparov or Magnus Carlsen, and not just win the World Championship.
“Most important step really, not only for newspapers, is to achieve such a strong player to dominate chess world like Karpov, Kasparov and Carlsen these two. Win all the tournaments for many, many years.
“And to be a stronger chess player in the world is a very important goal, very hard goal. It’s a dream goal of course, but it’s important to have this goal. And I think Gukesh arrived (at) his last step to be world champion.
“He has to understand. He has to work for this for a long time. And to achieve this in two, three, four years perhaps. It was a little bit secret, but I wish Gukesh also all the best,” Vidonyak added.
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Also Read | Kasparov compares Gukesh's challenger Sindarov to a former world champion: 'Same vigour, energy, precision'
Gukesh had recently faced Sindarov at the Super Rapid and Blitz Poland tournament in Warsaw, the first event of this year’s Grand Chess Tour, earlier this month. While Gukesh won their only meeting in the Rapid section of the tournament, Sindarov bounced back in the Blitz leg, registering back-to-back wins over the Indian.
Keeping his recent form in mind, Gukesh has opted to withdraw from the GCT this year, only making an appearance in a couple of non-Classical tournaments on a wildcard entry.
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