Watch: World chess champion D Gukesh in splits after Javokhir Sindarov asked to sing on his birthday

NEW DELHI: World chess champion D Gukesh had a light-hearted moment during the Norway Chess 2026 rest day celebrations on Friday as fellow chess players gathered to celebrate his 20th birthday.

The players came together before taking part in sailing activities in Oslo and sang a birthday song for the Indian star. The fun moment came when American Grandmaster Wesley So jokingly asked Javokhir Sindarov, who will face Gukesh in the World Championship match later this year in November, to sing a song after the celebrations, leaving everyone laughing.





Gukesh and Sindarov were both seen laughing uncontrollably as the group enjoyed the playful exchange.

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Sindarov is not competing in Norway Chess this year but is present alongside his close friend Bibisara Assaubayeva, who currently leads the women’s standings.

The cheerful birthday celebrations came shortly after a tough day for Gukesh on the chessboard. In Round 4 of Norway Chess 2026, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen defeated the reigning world champion in a closely fought classical game.

Playing with the black pieces, Carlsen slowly took control during the middlegame after the match remained balanced for a long period. Under mounting pressure and with limited time remaining, Gukesh was unable to hold the position, allowing Carlsen to seal an important victory.

The win significantly improved Carlsen’s position in the tournament standings after a relatively quiet start. Elsewhere, Wesley So defeated Alireza Firouzja in Armageddon after their classical game ended in a draw, while R Praggnanandhaa beat Vincent Keymer in the tiebreaker.

In the women’s competition, all classical games ended in draws before Armageddon decided the winners. Bibisara Assaubayeva defeated Ju Wenjun in the tiebreak and continues to lead the standings. Zhu Jiner also claimed an Armageddon win over Koneru Humpy, while Anna Muzychuk defeated Divya Deshmukh after their drawn classical encounter.

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