Javokhir Sindarov was recognised as Uzbekistan’s best chess player of the year at a press conference held by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation on January 10.
The event was dedicated to reviewing the results of 2025 and outlining plans for 2026. According to the federation’s press service, several initiatives aimed at further strengthening the national chess system were announced, alongside the presentation of annual awards.
Sindarov, who won the 2025 FIDE World Cup, received the top individual honour. Umida Omonova, a member of the Uzbekistan women’s national team, was named the best female chess player of the year.
Awards were also presented across a range of age and professional categories. Nurmuhammad Nematillakhonov was recognised as the best young chess player under the age of 12, while Husnorakhon Khusnitdinova received the corresponding award among girls. In the under-20 category, Afruza Khamdamova and Mukhiddin Madaminov were named the best young chess players of the year.
In para chess, Marsel Shayusupov was awarded best para chess player of the year, while Selbi Kakishova was recognised as the best female para chess player. Uktamjon Sheraliev received the award for best honoured chess player of the year.
Other awards went to Komiljon Azizov as best chess arbiter, Ulugbek Tillyaev as best chess analyst, and Anton Kim as chess commentator of the year.
The ceremony concluded with the formal presentation of awards, with organisers stressing that the achievements of the winners contribute to the continued development and international profile of Uzbek chess.
Earlier, Uzbek grandmasters Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov ranked among the world’s top ten chess players by prize money in 2025. Abdusattorov placed ninth with $361,800 earned across 16 tournaments, nearly tripling his 2024 prize money after winning the London Classic, while Sindarov finished tenth with $349,900 from 11 tournaments, boosted by his victory at the FIDE World Cup.
