Chess-Leaked files linked to Candidates leader Sindarov spark debate

PARIS, April 8 : Javokhir Sindarov played down fears that his chess opening preparation had been exposed after an online account linked to him briefly left studies public, but the episode — coupled with a separate incident in Hikaru Nakamura’s camp — has thrown a light on the role of "seconds" at the Candidates tournament.

The 20-year-old Uzbek, who has a two-point lead in the tournament in Cyprus that decides who will challenge world champion Dommaraju Gukesh for his title, drew in 24 moves with Andrey Esipenko in round eight.

He then faced repeated questions about the apparent leak, which surfaced on social media before the files were swiftly made private.

Sindarov was unfazed.

"It was not a big deal because I don't remember the last time I opened those studies," he said, adding that the lines were outdated and no longer part of his active preparation.

In elite chess, where preparation is closely guarded and even the identity of players' seconds - other strong players and analysts who help them prepare for key tournaments - is often concealed, such exposure can undermine months' worth of work.

Sindarov's relaxed response belied the nowadays central role of seconds, where teams build complex opening files of moves aimed at steering games into favourable territory.

Their importance was underscored earlier in the tournament when Hikaru Nakamura publicly vented frustration at his own team for failing to flag a critical idea in his game against Sindarov — a miss that proved costly and highlighted how even small oversights in preparation can have immediate consequences.

British grandmaster and commentator David Howell said Sindarov's reaction stood out.

"I would be freaking out and a bit tilted if this had happened to me," he said.