'We Are Not Friends': Gukesh And Sindarov Say Very Different Things About Each Other

The countdown to the youngest World Chess Championship match in history has officially become awkward.

On the board, reigning World Champion GM Gukesh D and his Uzbek challenger GM Javokhir Sindarov are rapidly becoming one of chess's most compelling rivalries. Off the board? Let's just say there won’t be any cosy joint interviews or buddy-buddy photo shoots anytime soon.

In recent weeks, both players have been asked about each other repeatedly as anticipation builds toward their title clash later this year. Their answers have painted two very different pictures of the relationship.

Sindarov, fresh from his sensational victory at the 2026 Candidates Tournament, was diplomatic—but only up to a point.

“I found out about Gukesh about 10 years ago or even more,” the Uzbek star said after securing his title shot. "I remember we played our first game around 2016 or 2017.

"He became a grandmaster at a younger age than me. I think at that time I was second youngest, and he surpassed Sergey Karjakin. Even then I understood he would become a very strong chess player.

"When I realised he was very close to getting the grandmaster title, I started following all his tournaments. Of course, he is very strong and became a grandmaster before me by age. It’s fantastic!"

'We Are Not Friends'

Then came the blunt line that instantly set chess social media alight.

"I have many friends. I'm a very straightforward person, but I have never spoken to Gukesh. I have friends from India—Arjun [GM Arjun Erigaisi], Nihal [GM Nihal Sarin]. I’m very good friends with them, but I’ve never spoken to Gukesh. We only talk about games and nothing else."

Is this the start of another Cold War before the World Championship? An extension of the brewing India-Uzbekistan national rivalry in chess? Or just an honest answer from a 20-year-old who speaks multiple languages and doesn’t bother dressing things up?

Probably a bit of all three. Oh, and don't forget the rumoured enmity that exists between Gukesh and Sindarov's countryman, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

Gukesh, meanwhile, has taken a very different approach. India's title holder rarely says anything remotely inflammatory. And yet, the tension is beginning to show.

"I've known Sindarov for quite a while," Gukesh said when asked. "When I was playing in youth tournaments, like the Under 10 World Championships and things like that, I knew he was in the same age group as Praggnanandhaa.

"They're both about a year older than me. So, I didn't play against him that often, but I just knew he was somewhere around there.

Personal Or Professional?

"And, I think, until last year I wasn't even sure if he was 2700+. He’s had a great climb recently, and that's nice for chess—it brings new energy to the elite.

"Of course, Javokhir's performance at the Candidates Tournament is an extremely dominant one. It's very impressive, but I think round-robin tournaments and matches like these are completely different experiences. So, I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from it."

But Gukesh's actions suggest a lot more is going on.

At the Grand Chess Tour's 2026 Super Rapid & Blitz Poland event in Warsaw, Gukesh busted out an unusually emotional fist pump after his satisfying and symbolic win over Sindarov in a sharp game on Day 2.

This is, after all, a player known for remaining almost unnervingly calm. Seeing him celebrate like that felt significant.

Even Gukesh himself admitted as much afterwards, explaining the reaction was directed partly at himself after a difficult run of form and the pressure of constant scrutiny since becoming world champion.

And there is pressure.

While Sindarov has spent 2026 bulldozing through elite tournaments, winning the Candidates unbeaten and looking increasingly unstoppable, Gukesh has endured a rocky year by world champion standards.

Which only adds fuel to this rivalry.

The contrast between the two could hardly be sharper. Sindarov has arrived with swagger, momentum, and a growing reputation for ice-cold confidence. Gukesh remains quieter, more introspective, and intensely focused—but clearly aware that many now see him as vulnerable.

That tension is already spilling into public view.

There’s no hostility here in the old-school Fischer-Karpov sense. No insults. No war of words. But they do appear to keep their distance.

Whether they are friends or not no longer really matters.

By the end of the year, one of them will be world champion—and the other will have to live with losing the biggest match of his life.