Who Will NOT Be Gukesh and Sindarov’s Seconds?

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 21/10/2026

The World Championship match between Gukesh and Sindarov is getting closer, and everyone wants to know who their seconds will be. But what if we turn the question around and ask who won't be on their teams? We have a few names in mind, and some rather interesting reasons why they might not make the cut. Let's see if you agree!

The guessing game begins!

Let’s rule out a few names!

The World Championship match between reigning champion D Gukesh and challenger Javokhir Sindarov is approaching. From 24th November to 12th December, the two will battle it out in Geneva for the biggest title in chess.

The countdown to the World Championship has begun! | Photo: FIDE

People might be wondering who will help the two players prepare for this battle. So, I decided to turn the question around. Who are the people we probably won't see on their teams? I have a few names and some reasons why they might not make the cut!

Disclaimer: This is all in good fun, of course. I have no inside information about either player's team. I am simply having a little fun imagining why these people might not be packing their bags for Geneva as seconds!

1. Magnus Carlsen

The man everyone else tries to catch. | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

Gukesh is preparing to defend his World Championship title, and if someone suggests bringing Magnus Carlsen into his team... I mean... it sounds brilliant... but weird as well, doesn't it?

Magnus has spent years being the man everyone else tries to catch. He has been the benchmark, the player everyone wants to beat. Imagining him on the sidelines, helping someone else fight for the World Championship title, is quite a picture!

Of course, Carlsen chose not to defend his title in 2023 and has since moved away from the classical World Championship cycle. He has repeatedly shown that he prefers to compete on his own terms.

So, while Gukesh and Sindarov prepare for their showdown, perhaps Magnus would rather be busy winning another title of his own!

Carlsen as a second would be fascinating, and his chess knowledge would be invaluable. But there is something almost unnatural about imagining the man who dominated the World Championship for a decade becoming a supporting character in someone else's title story.

2. Hikaru Nakamura

One of the world's best speed chess players. | Photo: Michal Walusza

Hikaru Nakamura posts content every day, plays bullet chess like there is no tomorrow, and has a baby at home! That's quite a lot to fit into one schedule. So, does he really have the time to become a second for Gukesh or Sindarov?

Hikaru also addressed the speculation recently and clarified that he is not a part of Sindarov's team.

Hikaru also hinted yesterday that he has something coming up.

Whatever it is, it looks like he has plenty going on already! So, no official second duties for Hikaru. But still...

I feel Gukesh or Sindarov should keep Hikaru's number handy, just in case the match goes to tie-breaks! Hikaru is one of the world's best speed-chess players. Who better to call for a few tips on handling the clock? Every second counts, and a good Second could count too!

3. Anish Giri

Anish Giri has a way of making himself heard! | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Anish Giri is one of the funniest people in chess. If he joins Gukesh or Sindarov's team as a second, he would have to spend weeks analysing games and helping his player prepare. No problem with that; he is a strong player with plenty of experience.

But what about his daily dose of trolling? Would Twitter manage without Anish's witty remarks while he was busy preparing for the match?

Anish also has the nickname "Drawish Giri". He has heard the jokes and he has even poked fun at the nickname himself. But if he becomes a second, he might finally get to celebrate every draw instead of being blamed for one!

Perhaps, considering his recent tweets, Anish would rather spend his time “monitoring” chess than joining someone’s preparation team!

4. Samay Raina

Samay has come a long way from his Blunder Master days!

After considering some of the world's strongest players, I thought, why not throw Samay Raina into the mix?

Samay played a huge role in bringing chess to a new audience during the lockdown. We have also seen him grow from a Blunder Master into a much better player.

He has also spent enough time around grandmasters to know what good chess looks like. Whether he can find the good moves himself is another question...!

Jokes apart, though, being a good chess player and being a World Championship second are two very different things. Gukesh and Sindarov need someone who can help them analyse games and find new ideas. Samay might suggest a move, and the team might spend the next hour figuring out why it was wrong!

For now, perhaps he should stick to entertaining the chess world rather than helping prepare for the biggest chess match.

Of course, these are just four names out of all the possibilities. I hope the guessing game got a little easier! :D

Can you think of anyone else who you think definitely won't be joining Gukesh or Sindarov's team? Let me know in the comments. The more names we rule out, the closer we get to figuring out who will make the cut!

On a serious note, all of this is just speculation, of course. We might be completely wrong, and perhaps one of these names will surprise us. Until then, happy guessing!