Prior to this match, both players had earned 2.5 points from 3 games. This victory allowed Sindarov to reach 3.5 points out of 4 games and climb to first place.
Playing with the white pieces, Sindarov confidently maintained his advantage in a game that ended on the 36th move. A mistake by his opponent in the middle of the game became the conclusive turning point, allowing the Uzbek grandmaster to take full control of the initiative.
This result marks Sindarov's third victory in the tournament, making him one of the primary contenders for the overall title.
The next 5th round will take place on April 3, where Sindarov will face Hikaru Nakamura with the black pieces.
The 2026 Candidates Tournament runs from March 29 to April 15, featuring eight of the world's strongest grandmasters. The winner will earn the right to challenge the reigning world champion, Dommaraju Gukesh, for the world title.
