EP 188 | Will Sindarov Win the 2026 FIDE Candidates?

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At the halfway mark of the 2026 Candidates, one storyline has taken over: Sindarov is dominating the field. But is this a historic breakthrough—or just a heater that the rest of the players will adjust to?

We break down his incredible run, from elite opening prep to relentless time pressure and confident decision-making. Is anyone capable of catching him? Or is it already over?

We also dive into Fabi’s quietly strong performance, the psychology of players falling out of contention, and what to expect in the second half of the tournament.

Drama, collapse potential, and one big question: is this inevitability… or just the beginning?

00:00 Candidates Midway Overview

00:21 The Sindarov Story

01:44 How He’s Winning (Openings & Clock Pressure)

04:09 Best Games So Far

06:39 Opponents Start Adjusting?

10:32 Risky Style & Confidence Boost

12:49 Can Anyone Catch Him?

13:57 Fabi’s Chances

23:14 Motivation & Tournament Psychology

27:50 Problems with Candidates Format

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