'Chess diplomacy': AICF chief on PM Modi gifting Sindarov’s WC sheet to Uzbek prez

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev the original scoresheet from Javokhir Sindarov’s 2025 World Cup final victory in Goa. AICF chief Nitin Narang called it “Chess diplomacy”. Sindarov later won the Candidates tournament and will face D Gukesh. The gesture highlights growing India-Uzbekistan chess rivalry ahead of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.