Gukesh vs Sindarov: All you need to know about FIDE World Championship match 2026

Both Gukesh and Sindarov will be 20 when their duel begins, making it the youngest World Championship match in chess history. | Photo Credit: Lennart Ootes

FIDE, on Monday, confirmed the venue, format, prize fund and schedule for the World Championship match between reigning world champion D Gukesh and challenger Javokhir Sindarov.

Both Gukesh and Sindarov will be 20 when their duel begins, making it the youngest World Championship match in chess history.

India’s Gukesh had claimed the World Championship title in 2024 after he beat China’s Ding Liren. Uzbek GM Sindarov earned the challenger spot by winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year.

Here is all you need to know about the Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match:

Where will the Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match happen?

The Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match will take place at the Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland.

Fondation Martin Bodmer is a heritage library and museum. The Fondation holds around 150,000 documents in around 120 languages, making it one of the finest private collections in the world.

When will the Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match happen?

The opening ceremony will take place on November 22. The first classical game is schedule for November 24 final one on December 11. If a tiebreaker is needed, it will be played on December 12.

Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match schedule. | Photo Credit: FIDE

What is the tournament format for the Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match?

The Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match will consist of a maximum of 14 classical games. The winner of each game wins 1 point, while a draw would result in 0.5 points. The first player to reach 7.5 points wins the match and the title. If the score is 7-7 after all classical games, the title will be decided through tiebreaks.

What is the time control for Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match?

Each player will have 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game. A 30-second increment is added from move 41. A draw offer would not be permitted before Black’s 40th move. But before that point, a draw may be claimed through the Chief Arbiter or Deputy Chief Arbiter only in cases of threefold repetition or stalemate.

What is the prize fund for Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match?

The total prize fund is USD 2.5 million. Each player receives USD 200,000 for every game won and the remaining balance is divided equally between the two players at the end of the match.