Uzbek chess player Javokhir Sindarov drew his second-round game at the Candidates Tournament against German grandmaster Matthias Bluebaum.
In the second round, Blubaum opted for a solid defensive setup, and the game developed without sharp complications. Sindarov had an opportunity to press for an advantage in the early stage but chose a more cautious continuation, allowing his opponent to equalize.
As the game progressed, both players avoided notable risks. The position remained balanced through the middlegame, and after a series of exchanges, the game concluded in a draw on move 42.
Following two rounds, Sindarov has accumulated 1.5 points. In the next round, he is scheduled to face Indian grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who is also among the leading contenders in the tournament standings.
In the first round, Sindarov defeated Andrey Esipenko, securing a win at the start of the competition.
The Candidates Tournament is being held in Cyprus from March 29 to April 15. The event features eight participants competing in a double round-robin format over 14 rounds. The winner will earn the right to challenge reigning world champion Dommaraju Gukesh for the title.
The tournament is played under classical time controls, with draws not permitted before move 40. The total prize fund is €500,000, with €48,000 awarded to the winner. Each participant also receives €3,500 for every half-point scored.
