Team Vitality Inks Javokhir Sindarov for 2026 and 2027

(AsiaGameHub) –   Team Vitality has secured Javokhir Sindarov’s return to its chess team for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The move follows his victory at the FIDE Candidates in Cyprus, cementing his status as a premier figure in chess esports.

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Good to Know

• Javokhir Sindarov finished first in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament with a 10/14 score.
• He is set to face World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju later this year.
• His return to competition with Team Vitality begins at the Chess.com Open 2026.

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Team Vitality Recruits World Championship Contender to Chess Lineup

Just weeks after his record-breaking performance at the Candidates, 20-year-old Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov has officially rejoined Team Vitality’s chess roster.

Sindarov triumphed at the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, earning 10 out of 14 points—the highest score recorded under the current double round-robin system. By clinching the victory with a round to spare, he joins the ranks of Viswanathan Anand and Ian Nepomniachtchi as one of the few to dominate the tournament in this format since 2013.

This win guarantees Sindarov a match for the World Chess Championship against the current titleholder, Gukesh Dommaraju, later in 2026. His ascent began in earnest in 2025 when he became the youngest person and the first Uzbek player to win the FIDE World Cup at the age of 19 years, 11 months, and 18 days.

Team Vitality’s involvement in chess started in February 2025 with the signing of French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave ahead of the Esports World Cup. The sport’s esports profile grew significantly following its inclusion in the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, where Sindarov previously represented Vitality.

For the French esports organization, chess is a key component of its international strategy. Sindarov’s background in gaming—having been an avid Counter-Strike player as a teen before focusing on chess in 2021—makes him an ideal fit for the brand.

Danny Engels, Chief International Officer at Team Vitality, remarked:

“He embodies the modern chess era: courageous, driven, and ready to take risks. His progress is undeniable, and we are confident he possesses the skills to become the next World Champion. This partnership aligns with our goal to lead in chess and esports while introducing the game to a global audience.”

Sindarov’s first tournament back under the Vitality name will be the Chess.com Open 2026. This $250,000 rapid competition, part of the Champions Chess Tour, takes place from April 23 to 26 and serves as his first rapid-format challenge since the Candidates.

Established in France in 2013, Team Vitality operates teams in Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, Rocket League, and chess. In 2025, its Counter-Strike 2 squad claimed nine international trophies and was named Esports Team of the Year at both The Game Awards and the Esports Awards.