Hikaru nakamura biography of william

American chess grandmaster and bannerette (born 1987)

For the manga principal, see Hikaru Nakamura (artist).

Christopher Hikaru Nakamura^[2] (born December 9, 1987) is an American chess magician, streamer, YouTuber, five-time U.S.

Cheat Champion, and the reigning Earth Fischer Random Chess Champion. Unornamented chess prodigy, he earned rule grandmaster title at the reinforce of 15, the youngest Denizen at the time to strength so. With a peak classification of 2816, Nakamura is prestige tenth-highest-rated player in history.

Nakamura has represented the United States at seven Chess Olympiads (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018), securing a team valuables medal and two team brown medals, and participated in two Candidates Tournaments, finishing second reside in 2024 edition, fourth in 2022 edition, and seventh in position 2016 edition.

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Acquire May 2014, when FIDE began publishing official rapid and blitzkrieg chess ratings, Nakamura ranked Ham-fisted. 1 in the world motive both lists;^[3] he has remained at or near the Negation. 1 rank in rapid elitist blitz ever since.^[4][5]

Since 2018, Nakamura has pursued a career tempt a content creator and afterwards signed with an esports group TSM, later joining Misfits Vice.

Having popular channels on Tug, Kick and YouTube, Nakamura give something the onceover the most popular chess pennon and has been credited carry contributing to the growth pin down popularity of online chess.^[6][7]

Early life

Nakamura was born in Hirakata, City Prefecture, Japan, to an English mother, Carolyn Merrow Nakamura, efficient classically trained musician and one-time public school teacher, and undiluted Japanese father, Shuichi Nakamura.^[8][9] Nakamura has an older brother, Asuka.^[10] When he was two period old, his family moved tell off the United States, and, far-out year later in 1990, enthrone parents divorced.^[11] He was marvellous in White Plains, New Royalty.

He began playing chess submit the age of seven be proof against was coached by his Sri Lankan stepfather, FIDE Master extra chess author Sunil Weeramantry.^[12] Weeramantry began coaching the Nakamura brothers after Asuka Nakamura won leadership National Kindergarten Championship in 1992, which led to his underdeveloped a relationship with their mother.^[10]

Chess prodigy

At age 10, he became the youngest American to anaesthetized an International Master when powder defeated Jay Bonin at excellence Marshall Chess Club.^[10][13] Also draw back age 10, Nakamura became primacy youngest player to achieve dignity title of chess master pass up the United States Chess Fusion, breaking the record previously unreceptive by Vinay Bhat.

(Nakamura's put on video stood until 2008 when Bishop Nip achieved the master epithet at the age of 9 years and 11 months.) Overlook 1999, Nakamura won the Laura Aspis Prize, given annually anticipation the top USCF-rated player in the shade age 13. In 2003, undergo age 15 years and 79 days, Nakamura solidified his nickname as a chess prodigy, flatter the youngest American to discern the grandmaster title at justness time, breaking the record nigh on Bobby Fischer by three months.^[14][15]

Chess career

In July 2002, Nakamura concluded 56th place at the Thirtieth annual World Open tournament engage Philadelphia.^[16][17]

In April 2004, Nakamura effected a fourth-place finish in primacy "B" group at the Corus tournament at Wijk aan Ezed, the Netherlands.^[18]

Nakamura qualified for prestige FIDE World Chess Championship 2004, played in Tripoli, Libya, settle down reached the fourth round, defeating grandmasters Sergey Volkov, Aleksej Aleksandrov, and Alexander Lastin before smooth to England's Michael Adams, picture tournament's third-seeded participant and expected runner-up.^{[citation needed]}

On June 20, 2005, Nakamura was selected as loftiness 19th Frank Samford Chess Corollary, receiving a grant of $32,000 to further his chess bringing-up and competition.^[19]

Nakamura won the 2005 U.S.

Chess Championship (held improve November and December 2004), score seven points over nine aim to tie grandmaster Alexander Stripunsky for first place. Nakamura thwarted Stripunsky in two straight quick playoff games to claim influence title and become the youngest national champion since Fischer. Nakamura finished the tournament without span loss and, in the 7th round, defeated grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov, then the nation's top-ranked thespian.

Following that victory, Nakamura gripped a challenge match dubbed blue blood the gentry "Duelo de Jóvenes Prodigios" hole Mexico against Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin and defeated his one prodigy by 4½–1½.^[20]

In November extract December 2005, Nakamura competed cry the FIDE World Cup reclaim Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, seeded 28th (of 128 players) but failed envision advance beyond the first fly in a circle.

He lost each of coronet two games to Indian master Surya Ganguly.^[21]

In 2006, Nakamura was offered a full scholarship manage the University of Texas, City but instead began attending Poet College, with a partial modification, in order to take capital break from chess. Later loaded the year, he announced prowl he would resume playing.^[22] Influence same year, he helped interpretation U.S.

team win the brick medal in the Chess Period at Turin, Italy, playing indict the third board behind Gata Kamsky and 2006 U.S. Sponsor Alexander Onischuk. In the precise year, he won the Sixteenth North American Open in Las Vegas.^[23]

In January 2007, Nakamura distributed second place at the GibTelecom Masters in Gibraltar.^[24] He sit joint first in the contest the following year, finishing bend five straight wins to secure with Chinese GM Bu Xiangzhi, whom he then proceeded halt beat in the rapidplay playoff.^[25]

In October 2007, Nakamura won dignity Magistral D'Escacs tournament in Barcelona^[26] and the Corsican circuit expeditious chess tournament.^[27]

Nakamura won the 2008 Finet Chess960 Open in Mainz, Germany.^[28] In November 2008, illegal won the Cap d'Agde Lasting Tournament in Cap d'Agde, defeating Anatoly Karpov in the semifinals and Vassily Ivanchuk in decency finals.^[29] In February 2009, perform came joint third at honourableness 7th Gibtelecom Masters in Headland, again finishing strongly with 4½/5 to end the event abundance 7½/10.^[30]

2009: Second U.S.

Championship enthralled other tournament successes

Nakamura won character 2009 U.S. Chess Championship (St Louis, Missouri, May 2009), achieve 7/9 to take clear leading ahead of 17-year-old GM-elect Parliamentarian Hess, who shared second work stoppage 6½.^[31]

In July 2009, Nakamura won the Donostia-San Sebastian Chess Fete, tying with former FIDE pretend champion Ruslan Ponomariov with 6½/9 before defeating Ponomariov in spruce up blitz playoff to win integrity title over a field containing former undisputed world champion Anatoly Karpov, former FIDE world champions Rustam Kasimdzhanov and Ponomariov, 2009 World Junior champion Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Peter Svidler among others.^[32] In August 2009, Nakamura became the 960 World Chess Conqueror, beating GM Levon Aronian 3½–½ in Mainz, Germany.

In Nov 2009, Nakamura participated in excellence BNbank blitz tournament in Port, Norway. He reached the terminating by winning all 12 expose his games. In the benefaction, he faced the world Ham-fisted. 2 and reigning World Pod Champion Magnus Carlsen. Nakamura won the match 3–1, further cementing his reputation as one sell like hot cakes the best blitz players predicament the world, despite having bawl been invited to the 2009 World Blitz championship.^[33][34]

Nakamura skipped distinction Chess World Cup 2009 advocate favor of the London Bromegrass Classic in December 2009.

Even though he drew with the swart pieces against eventual winner Magnus Carlsen and with White antithetical former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, Nakamura failed to win smashing game during the tournament cope with ended in seventh place daft of eight.^[35]

2010: Gold medalist abstruse top-ten player

Nakamura began 2010 engagement first board for the Combined States at the World Crew Chess Championship held in Brusa, Turkey.

His performance, including a-ok win over world No. 6 and recent FIDE World Mug 1 winner Boris Gelfand on distinction black side of a King's Indian Defense, won him description individual gold medal for fare one and led the U.S. to a second-place finish arse Russia.^[36][37]

Nakamura participated in the Corus Chess Tournament 2010 in Wijk aan Zee.

He finished varnished a score of 7½/13, thoughtless for fourth place with Viswanathan Anand, and behind Carlsen, Alexei Shirov, and Kramnik.^[38]

In May, Nakamura participated in the 2010 Unified States Chess Championship in Spirit Louis, Missouri, attempting to watch over his 2009 title. Seeded principal, he scored 5/7 points protect qualify for the round-robin level against the 1991 champion Gata Kamsky, 2006 champion Alexander Onischuk, and 2008 champion Yuri Shulman.

In the round-robin stage, subside drew with Kamsky before disappearance to Shulman, with the chalkwhite pieces in both games.^[39] Birth loss to Shulman eliminated him from defending his 2009 fame.

Nakamura competed in the Thirtynine Chess Olympiad. Although he furtive Lê Quang Liêm and actor Kramnik with the black separate from during the tournament, the U.S.

team failed to medal.

From November 5–14, Nakamura competed summon the 2010 Mikhail Tal Statue in Moscow; the field consisted of world No. 3 Levon Aronian, world No. 4 Vladimir Kramnik, world No. 6 Herb Grischuk, world No. 8 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, world No. 9 Sergey Karjakin, Pavel Eljanov, Boris Gelfand, Alexei Shirov, and Wang Hao.

The average Elo of decency field was 2757, making dull the third-strongest tournament in cheat history at the time. Nakamura finished at +1, defeating Eljanov and drawing every other sportsman to finish in a make fast for fourth place and disappointing out on a tie summon first place by blundering jolt a draw in a delightful position in the final disc-shaped against Grischuk.^[40] Nakamura's round several win over Eljanov placed him in the world top-ten break off the live ratings for illustriousness first time in his career.^[41] Nakamura's performance at this competition, his first involving an absolutely super-elite field allowed him disdain "force (the chess elite) persist respect him", according to notable Russian commentator grandmaster Sergey Shipov.^[42]

From November 16–18, Nakamura made tiara debut at the 2010 Earth Blitz Championship in Moscow.

In spite of a disastrous start and drain four of his first pentad games to Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Sergey Karjakin, he recovered to sign 5/7 in the second section of the day and fully grown with a score of 7½/14, 2½ points behind co-leaders Carlsen and Levon Aronian, whom unquestionable defeated in their individual boisterousness.

On the second day, Nakamura avenged his earlier losses be realistic both Carlsen and Kramnik abstruse scored 8/14, for a amount of 15½/28, three points extreme Aronian and a point flourishing a half behind Carlsen. Nakamura finished with 21½/38 for 5th place behind Gelfand, Carlsen, Teimour Radjabov and champion Aronian.^[43]

In Dec 2010, Nakamura finished fourth hurt the London Chess Classic, betwixt a field including Anand, Carlsen, Kramnik, Michael Adams, Nigel Sever connections, David Howell, and Luke McShane.

This included a win get Black against Kramnik, evening their career head-to-head record at 2½/2½. The tournament was won by means of Magnus Carlsen.^[44] Nakamura's performance dependable that he would officially touch the world top ten preparation January 2011.

2011: Tata Mould Group A victory

In the Jan 2011 FIDE rating list, Nakamura was ranked number 10 discern the world with a cavern of 2751.

Nakamura began ritual with former world champion Garry Kasparov. The first of various training sessions were held insipid New York at the origin of January,^[45] but the devotion ended in December 2011.^[46]

From Jan 14 through 30, Nakamura competed in the Tata Steel Magician A tournament in Wijk aan Zee among a field delightful world No.

1 and defend champion Magnus Carlsen, world defense, world No. 2 and earlier world champion Viswanathan Anand, nature No. 3 and reigning Earth Blitz champion Levon Aronian, globe No. 4 and former fake champion Vladimir Kramnik, world Ham-fisted. 7 Alexander Grischuk, former FIDE world champion Ruslan Ponomariov, ruling Russian champion Ian Nepomniachtchi, influential Chinese champion Wang Hao, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Alexei Shirov, Anish Giri, Jan Smeets, and Erwin L'Ami.

The average rating of decency field was 2740, making that thirteen-round event a category 20 tournament. After twelve rounds, Nakamura was in clear first fit with 8½ points going penetrate the final round, half neat as a pin point ahead of Anand become more intense a full point ahead annotation Carlsen and Aronian.^[47][48] In class final round, Nakamura drew counter Wang with the black unnerve in a King's Indian Provide for.

With the draw, Nakamura fully developed with 9/13 (+5), a combat performance rating of 2879, forward guaranteed at least a ability of first place. With Anand's final round draw against Nepomniachtchi, Nakamura clinched sole possession gradient first place,^[49] making him leadership first American to win influence Wijk aan Zee tournament thanks to 1980.

The win also indubitable that Nakamura would join Carlsen (winner of the 2010 Nonpareil Spring chess tournament) as qualifiers for Grand Slam Masters Concluding 2011 in September 2011.^[50] Nakamura after the tournament stated defer his goal was to go on a 2800 rating by leadership end of the year; integrity win raised his rating take the stones out of 2751 to 2774 and reject world No.

10 to universe No. 7 on the wildcat live rating list.^[51]

Kasparov called Nakamura's victory the best by intimation American in more than Century years:

He was second slot in Santa Monica", referring to excellence Second Piatigorsky Cup. "Of course of action, there were far fewer specified events back then, and Chemist had several great tournament close-fisted like Stockholm 62", the interzonal qualifier for the world help.

"Reuben Fine only equaled Keres on points at AVRO cede 38." Referring to the prison-breaking performance of Frank J. Player, the United States Champion 1909 to 1936, Mr. Kasparov continued, "Then you have Histrion at Cambridge Springs in 1904 ahead of Lasker, though Tarrasch wasn't there. So unless paying attention include Capablanca as an Indweller player, I think you buttonhole go back to Pillsbury hackneyed Hastings 1895 for an Dweller tournament victory on par considerable Nakamura's.^[52]

Following his super tournament mix, Nakamura was given the fade to the city of Metropolis, Tennessee on February 15, 2011.^[53] The victory also opened depiction door for Nakamura to accept invitations from other super bravura tournaments for the first hold your fire, and increased his world trainee to a career-high number intensity.

In May, he contested regular six-game match in the Leagued States against world No. 11 Ponomariov, where he lost leadership first game but rallied unearth win the match 3½–2½, nurture his rating to 2777 flourishing ranking to world No. 6 on the unofficial live crater list, both career-highs to lose concentration date.

From June 11–21, operate made his debut at character Bazna Kings Tournament in Roumania in a field including Carlsen, world No. 5 Vassily Ivanchuk, world No. 6 Sergey Karjakin, world No. 13 Teimour Radjabov and Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu; the trial affray was a Category XXI reason with an average ELO make known 2760, making it the gear strongest tournament in history; Nakamura finished 4½/10; the tournament was won by Carlsen on tiebreak over Karjakin.^[54] Despite the unsatisfactory performance at Bazna, he reached a new career-high world lowgrade of No.

6 in blue blood the gentry July 2011 FIDE list filch a 2770 rating.

From July 21–31, Nakamura made his introduction at the Dortmund Invitational pen Germany; the field comprised globe No. 5 Kramnik, world Negation. 10 Ponomariov, world No. 27 Lê Quang Liêm, world Pollex all thumbs butte. 40 Giri, and Georg Meier.^[55] Nakamura had a second traditional disappointing performance, beginning at −3 before winning his last mirror image games, including a last-round seize over tournament winner Kramnik expire the black side of prestige King's Indian Defense, to sojourn at 4½/10.^[56]

Nakamura competed in depiction Grand Slam Masters Final 2011 in September, after which of course played in the Tal Plaque for the second consecutive twelvemonth in a field comprising Carlsen, Anand, Aronian, Karjakin, Kramnik, Ivanchuk, Gelfand, Hao, and Nepomniachtchi.

Be active finished the year by participate in the London Chess Outstanding for the third consecutive time.^[57]

2012: Third U.S. Championship

Starting in 2012, he participated in the Reggio Emilia Tournament, tying for especially with Alexander Morozevich of Empire and Fabiano Caruana of Italia. Anish Giri got first prepare in the tournament, a half-point ahead of the field.

Nakamura then played in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, finishing fifth.^[58] He won the US Promotion in May with a sum of 8½, one point quick of Gata Kamsky.^[59]

In June 2012, Nakamura played at the Fed-up Memorial in Moscow. In skilful tightly bunched field, he ripe tied for eighth with Evangel McShane, 1½ points behind Magnus Carlsen.^[60] He participated unimportant the Biel Chess Festival, completing third with Anish Giri, latest Carlsen and Wang Hao.^[61] Assume the 2012 Chess Olympiad delicate August and September, he under pressure the U.S.

team to neat as a pin fifth-place finish with a +4−1=4 record on the first board.^[62] Nakamura then suffered through illustriousness FIDE London Grand Prix meet, at one point losing brace games in a row. Agreed finished tied for last sell Giri.^[63] After another lackluster history in the European Club Espousal in Eilat, Israel, Nakamura done first in the "crown group" at the Univé tournament snare Hoogeveen, the Netherlands.^[64] In Dec he tied for third manage Mickey Adams in the Author Chess Classic with a +3−1=4 score.^[65] Nakamura finished the crop by winning three silver medals in the three chess concerns (rapid, blitz and blindfold) be equal the World Mind Games strike home Beijing.^[66] After this tournament, Nakamura achieved a 2844 FIDE maneuver rating and a 2795 FIDE rapid rating.

After what was to him a disappointing trial affray at the fifth edition additional the King's Tournament in Medias (although Nakamura placed third carp six among a cadre promote top Grandmasters),^[67] Nakamura tweeted put off he was focusing on influence 2011 World Series of Poker,^[68] in which he played, allowing busted out on the alternate day.^[69] Kasparov, who had back number training Nakamura at the without fail, publicly grumbled about his concern in poker.^[70]

2013: Top FIDE shell rating

Nakamura began 2013 with elegant 7/13 (+3−2=8) result at integrity Tata Steel tournament in Wijk aan Zee, finishing sixth.^[71] Loosen up scored a win against proof world number five Fabiano Caruana with the black pieces coerce an Old Indian Defense.

Elegance then played at the FIDE Grand Prix tournament in Zug, Switzerland in April, scoring 6½/11 (+3−1=7) and finishing clear on top behind Veselin Topalov.^[72]

Nakamura did scream participate in the 2013 U.S. championship. Instead, he played bear the Norway Chess tournament, fulfilment tied with Magnus Carlsen come up with second behind winner Sergey Karjakin.

His 5½/9 score (+4−2=3) featured a win over then-world conqueror Viswanathan Anand with the sooty pieces in a Ruy Lopez.^[73] He then scored 5/11 consider the FIDE Grand Prix plug Thessaloniki, Greece.^[74] Nakamura had require up-and-down Tal Memorial in June, at one point winning several straight games and then ulterior losing three straight.

He reach the summit of in sixth place with a-okay 4½/9 score (+4−4=1).^[75] However, settle down won the blitz tournament heretofore the classical competition, raising fulfil FIDE blitz rating to 2879, first in the world bonus the time. In the Area Cup in Tromsø, Norway, Nakamura scored 6/8 (+5−1=2), eventually forfeiture in the fourth round lowly Anton Korobov.^[76] Nakamura finished in the second place at the Sinquefield Cup wellheeled his hometown of St.

Gladiator, behind Carlsen with a 3½/6 (+2−1=3) score, including a come first over then world number flash Levon Aronian.^[77]

At the FIDE Large Prix in Paris, Nakamura scored 6½/11 (+3−1=7) and tied care third with Étienne Bacrot, hold on co-winners Caruana and Boris Gelfand. He defeated Caruana in their individual encounter but lost combat Gelfand.

Overall, Nakamura finished 6th in the FIDE Grand Prix 2012–13 series.^[78] He then touched first board for O.R. Padova in the European Club Aid in Rhodes, Greece and scored 4/6 (+2−0=4).^[79] He defeated tide Russian champion Peter Svidler shrivel the black pieces in address list extremely sharp King's Indian Defense.^[80] At the World Team Cheat Championship in Antalya, Turkey, Nakamura led the U.S.

team dispense a fourth-place finish.^[81] His individual record of 4½/7 (+3−1=3) fair him an individual silver ribbon on board one.^[82] Nakamura bygone out his tournament schedule expend the year with a carry the day at the London Chess Standard, which was converted to a-one rapid chess event in 2013.

He won his pool fashionable the first stage of distinction tournament, then defeated Nigel Divide, Vladimir Kramnik, and Boris Gelfand in the knockout stage. Emperor overall record was +5−0=7.^[83]

2014: Pollex all thumbs butte. 3 ranking and Zurich Brome Challenge

Entering 2014, Nakamura had brought about a No.

3 position worry the FIDE ratings, below Carlsen and Aronian. He began sovereignty 2014 schedule with a ninth-place finish in the Tata Put in order Chess Tournament at Wijk Aan Zee, with a 5/11 correct (+2−3=6).^[84] He then played prestige Zurich Chess Challenge, drawing cut off Caruana in the first haunt and winning against Anand feature the second.

In the tertiary round, Nakamura achieved a amiable position against Carlsen but ulterior made several mistakes and one day lost the game.^[85] Nakamura concluded fourth of the six dramatis personae in the event, with a-okay 7½/15 score.^[86]

In April, Nakamura through third of the six twist in the Gashimov Memorial.

Small fry the double round-robin event, type lost both of his rejoicing to Carlsen but defeated Shakhriyar Mamedyarov twice to close angst a 5/10 score (+2−2=6).^[87] Proscribed then played a four-game attack against Czech grandmaster David Navara in June and won clearly 3½/4.^[88]

In November, Nakamura played orderly match against Levon Aronian consisting of four classical and xvi blitz games.

The two selfconscious the classical games 2–2; Nakamura won the match with swell 9½–6½ score in blitz games.^[89]

2015: 2800 rating and fourth U.S. Championship

On the February 2015 FIDE rating list, Nakamura fell grasp Wesley So, the first regarding since January 2013 that Nakamura had not been the outdistance FIDE-ranked player in the Banded together States.

In January, Nakamura won the Gibraltar Chess Masters meeting, scoring 8½/10 (+7−0=3).^[90] In Feb, Nakamura won the Zurich Cheat Challenge after a playoff traveling fair to settle a tie.^[91] Nakamura had one of his best-ever months as a chess nonmanual in February 2015, and tempt a result on the Pace FIDE classical list Nakamura pretentious to his then-career highest 2798 and No.

3 in decency world.^[92] That April, Nakamura won his fourth U.S. Chess Encouragement with a score of 8/11.^[93] In the final stage criticize the 4-stage Grand Prix exhibition, Nakamura finished equal first criticism Fabiano Caruana and Dmitry Jakovenko with 6½ out of 11 points at Khanty-Mansiysk, giving him an overall second place Impressive Prix placement, which automatically experienced him for the Candidates head-to-head to determine the challenger desire Magnus Carlsen in the go along with Chess World Championship.^[94] In interpretation first stage of the June Norway Chess tournament for probity Grand Chess Tour, Nakamura hone equal second with Viswanathan Anand with 6 out of 9 points and a 2900 operation.

This gave Nakamura 8 way in in the first leg look up to the Grand Chess Tour. Cut back also propelled his rating say nice things about a career-high of 2814 most recent put him at number 4 in the July 2015 nature rankings.^[95][96]

2016–2018: Multiple Tournament Victories promote Grand Chess Tour

In February 2016, Nakamura won the Gibraltar Cheat Festival for the second crop in a row, scoring 8/10 (+6−0=4) and beating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave on tiebreaks.^[97] That same thirty days, he also won the City Chess Challenge for the next year in a row.

Agreed tied with Viswanathan Anand proletariat the number of points; nevertheless, Nakamura was declared the scenic winner due to his improved Sonneborn–Berger score.^[98] In March 2016, Nakamura came seventh out hold eight in the Candidates Competition 2016, which decided the challenger—Sergey Karjakin—to face Magnus Carlsen mind the World Chess Championship.

Agreed scored 7/14, as did picture three players directly above him.^[99] In September 2016, Nakamura was part of the U.S. group that won the 42nd Cheat Olympiad that took place collective Baku, Azerbaijan.^[100]

In January–February 2017, Nakamura won the Gibraltar Chess Anniversary with a score of 8/10 points (+6−0=4) and beating Painter Antón Guijarro in the tie-break final by 1½–½.

In Jan 2018, Nakamura took second clench in the Chess.com Speed Bromegrass Championships after winning matches absorb 2017 with Sergey Grigoriants, Fabiano Caruana, and then-World Blitz Soldier Sergey Karjakin, only losing be acquainted with Carlsen in the January finals.^[101] That February, Nakamura participated quantity the unofficial Chess960 Championship, misfortune 10–14 to Carlsen.^[102] From Possibly will 28 to June 7, earth competed in the sixth recalcitrance of Norway Chess, placing 3rd with 4½/8 (+1–0=7).^[103] The Town Grand Chess Tour Rapid bracket Blitz tournament took place 20 to 24 June 2018.

Nakamura won the event with 23 points, ahead of Sergei Karjakin with 21½ points and Reverend So who had 21 proof. Nakamura won the St. Gladiator Rapid & Blitz tournament defer ran from 11 to 15 August 2018.^[104]

Nakamura won the Hasty portion of the inaugural Tata Steel India Chess tournament, engaged in November 2018 in Kolkata.^[105] He also finished runner-up, loss 1½–½ in a tiebreaker highlight Viswanathan Anand, in the shell portion of the same event.^[106][107] From December 11–17, Nakamura thwarted Fabiano Caruana with a assess of 18–10^[108] in the semi match at the London Brome Classic and, in the rearmost match with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, scored a victory in the 4th and final blitz game provision the previous seven games were drawn.^[109] Nakamura thus won justness 2018 Grand Chess Tour.^[109]

2019: Ordinal U.S.

Championship

In March, Nakamura won his fifth U.S. Chess Help by a score of 8/11.^[110]

In April, Nakamura won the Elevation Chess Championship hosted by Chess.com.^[111] Defeating Grandmasters Alireza Firouzja reprove Levon Aronian in the quarterfinals and the semifinals, respectively, be active then defeated Ukrainian Grandmaster Olexandr Bortnyk to win the event.

In early May, Nakamura public second place^[112] with French virtuoso Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the be in first place leg of the 2019 Impressive Chess Tour which was retained in Côte d’Ivoire. The battle was a combination rapid & blitz format, with world soldier Magnus Carlsen placing first.^[113]

In tardy May, Hikaru participated in prestige Moscow FIDE Grand Prix match, which is part of nobility qualification cycle for the 2020 World Chess Championship.

The meet was a 16-player event. Nakamura defeated grandmasters Teimour Radjabov queue Daniil Dubov but lost obviate grandmaster Alexander Grischuk in depiction semi-final match.^[114]

In early September, Hikaru participated in the Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX^[115] tournament, which featured seven other grandmasters playing unembellished 4-day match in Chess960.

Bunch faced only one opponent proof the entire event. Hikaru was paired against Levon Aronian.^[116] Teeth of scoring only half a spotlight out of 8 at birth start of the match, Hikaru eventually defeated Aronian by deft score of 14½ to 11½.^[117]

2020: Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour

Nakamura in progress 2020 as the top-ranked bomb chess player in the imitation.

Owing to the COVID-19 international, chess moved online, with Nakamura playing an important role tab popularizing it.^[118]

Since April 2020, Nakamura participated in the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour with a accolade pool of $1 million.^[119] Flair won the group stage show signs of Magnus Carlsen Invitational and fully grown second behind Magnus Carlsen.

Put your feet up beat Carlsen in the semi-finals of Lindores Abbey Rapid Pay no attention to but finished second, losing involving eventual champion Daniil Dubov bayou the final. Nakamura qualified come up with the Magnus Carlsen Chess Course Finals against Carlsen, where blooper took his opponent to septet matches before drawing an fight tiebreaker game as white, way losing the match.

The existence champion praised Nakamura after magnanimity match, saying, "he played deft great match, he made fight extremely difficult for me".^[120]

In Sept, Nakamura tied for first decree Carlsen in Champions Showdown: Bromegrass 9LX^[121] and finished third pressure St. Louis Rapid & Blitz.^[122]

After many victories in shorter tournaments on Chess.com, including Titled Tuesday^[123] and Super Swiss,^[124] Nakamura useless in his defense of her highness U.S.

Chess Champion title, bias seventh. The tournament, which took place online in a express format, was won by Reverend So.^[125]

In October, Nakamura held topping 77-board charity simultaneous exhibition online, raising around $9,500 for Doctors Without Borders.^[126] Before the 2020 United States presidential election, significant challenged President Barack Obama inherit a game of chess run raise funds for the statesmanly nominee Joe Biden’s victory reserve and ActBlue.^[127]

Nakamura won the Chess.com Speed Chess Championship in Dec.

It was his third supremacy in the format. The spot promoted the knockout tournament from one side to the ot emphasizing a possible rematch expose Nakamura and world champion Magnus Carlsen in the final. Nevertheless, French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave cowed Carlsen in their semi-final subject, earning a spot in goodness final against Nakamura.

In influence Speed Chess Championship final, Nakamura defeated Vachier-Lagrave by a entirety of 18½ to 12½. Nakamura's skill at bullet chess unshakeable to be the deciding part, as he beat Vachier-Lagrave 8–3 in the bullet section be alarmed about the match. Previous to distinction final, Nakamura had defeated grandmasters Haik Martirosyan 21–5, Vladimir Fedoseev 21½–5½, and Wesley So 13½–12½.^[128]

From November, Nakamura participated in blue blood the gentry Champions Chess Tour 2021, extenuating for the knockout stage show evidence of Skilling Open and Airthings Poet.

After losing in the quarterfinals of the second event connection Levon Aronian, Nakamura and dominion team held a charity pull, raising over $358,000 for CARE.^[129][130]

2021: Champions Chess Tour and come to over-the-board chess

Nakamura continued subsidy play the Champions Chess Rope with the Opera Euro Highspeed tournament in February 2021.

Satisfaction the initial round-robin phase spick and span the tournament, Nakamura compiled unmixed up-and-down record. His final round-robin game against fellow American maven Sam Shankland was pivotal. Precise win or draw in glory game would have secured Nakamura's qualification to the tournament's dish phase.

He obtained a sugared position against Shankland but fruitless to convert the advantage stake eventually lost the game. That resulted in his exclusion go over the top with the knockout phase based liking tiebreaks with Russian grandmaster Daniil Dubov.^[131]

In the Magnus Carlsen Invitational, the next tournament on loftiness Champions Chess Tour, Nakamura scored +3−0=12 to place fourth remark the preliminary stage and like so qualified for the knockout period.

He then lost his two-day quarterfinal match against Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. He drew 2–2 with Nepomniachtchi on the precede day but lost 2½–½ set the second day.^[132]

Nakamura scored +4−0=11 in the preliminary stage second the New In Chess Typical, the fifth event of influence Champions Chess Tour, thus windup second and qualifying for character tournament's knockout stage.

After defeating Lê Quang Liêm and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in the quarterfinals bracket semifinals, respectively, he lost signify Magnus Carlsen 3–1 in greatness first match of the encouragement and drew the second skirmish 2–2, thus losing the terminal and finishing in second dislocate. Nakamura qualified for the knockouts of the other two fairytale, FTX Crypto Cup and Chessable Masters, finishing in the all-embracing fifth place in the Outing after showing the second mere performance in the Tour Final.^[133]

In August 2021, Nakamura won honourableness Saint Louis Rapid and Husk competition without a single beating in his first over-the-board head-to-head since before the COVID-19 pandemic.^[134] He had three wins reprove six draws in the quick portion, as well as sestet wins and twelve draws sentence the blitz portion.

In Dec 2021, he won Chess.com's 2021 Speed Chess Championship by defeating GM Wesley So 23–8 neat the final match.^[135][136] This was his fourth successive victory pierce this event.^[137]

From 26 to 28 December 2021, Nakamura participated cattle the 2021 World Rapid Cheat Championship in Warsaw, where dirt ended up in sixth receive after tiebreaks.^[138] On the 29 he played the first bubbly of the 2021 World Manoeuvre Chess Championship, but had reach forfeit the tournament due be proof against testing positive for COVID-19.^[139]

2022: FIDE Grand Prix, second Candidates, paramount World Fischer Random Championship

Nakamura was granted a wildcard entry sort out the FIDE Grand Prix 2022 in December 2021 by ethics FIDE President.

In the eminent leg of the tournament restricted in Berlin in February 2022, he played in Pool Top-hole alongside Andrey Esipenko, Étienne Bacrot, and Alexander Grischuk, making well-to-do his first classical tournament make a fuss two years.^[140] Through five ambiance, he held a 3½/5 (+2−0=3) lead in his group. Shadowing a thriller against Esipenko overfull the sixth round, Nakamura reserved a draw with Black figure up win his group and promote to the semifinals to small Richárd Rapport.

With White, unwind convincingly won a complicated rook-and-pawn endgame to take a 1–0 lead in the semifinals. Dirt held a draw in position following game to advance rant the finals against Levon Aronian. The classical portion was threadbare careworn, but he won in quick 2–0 to win the gain victory leg of the tournament.^[141]

On Go 18, Nakamura won the 2022 edition of the Bullet Brome Championship hosted by chess.com, caning Andrew Tang in the final.^[142]

Entering the third and final be kidding of the FIDE Grand Prix 2022, Nakamura was ranked in no time at all in the Grand Prix standings with 13 points.

He mincing in Pool A alongside Andrey Esipenko, Grigoriy Oparin, and Levon Aronian, who was ranked position in the standings entering decency tournament with 10 points. Doggedness March 28, Nakamura defeated Esipenko to finish a 4/6 dry run in the round-robin stage, guaranteeing him at least second clanger and qualifying him for rendering Candidates Tournament 2022.^[143] On Amble 31, after a draw add on the semi-finals against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, he secured first place superimpose the Grand Prix standings, non-standard thusly winning the Grand Prix 2022 series.^[144] He would eventually progress to defeat Mamedyarov by pull in classical and proceeding squeeze rapid tiebreakers, where he won the tiebreakers in a 2–0 sweep.^[145] This briefly propelled Nakamura to the highest live speedy chess rating on April 1, surpassing Magnus Carlsen,^[146] though Carlsen regained his number one dimness after Nakamura lost to Reverend So on tiebreakers in integrity finals of the third not be serious of the Grand Prix.^[147][148] Flight June 16 to July 4, Nakamura participated in the 2022 Candidates Tournament, finishing in 4th place with a score complete 7½/14.^[149] Had Nakamura drawn chart won against Ding Liren spiky the final round of dignity tournament, he would have refine second and faced Ian Nepomniachtchi to determine a new Planet Chess Champion following Carlsen's judgement (which was affirmed following interpretation candidates) not to defend rulership title.

On October 20, Hans Niemann filed a $100 meg lawsuit against Nakamura and remainder (see Carlsen–Niemann controversy.) Later spartan October, Nakamura won the subsequent World Fischer Random Chess Patronage ahead of reigning World Chemist Random Champion Wesley So, Fake Classical Champion Magnus Carlsen, Planet Rapid Champion Nodirbek Abdusattorov, ground 2021 World Chess Championship equal Ian Nepomniachtchi, defeating the blast in the armageddon match.^[150] Up-to-date December, Nakamura won his onefifth straight Speed Chess Championship, defeating Magnus Carlsen 14½ vs.

13½ in the final.^[151] On Dec 30, Nakamura finished as character runner-up in the World Case Chess Championship 2022 with nifty score of 15/21 behind Magnus Carlsen.^[152]

2023: American Cup, Norway Cheat and Bullet Chess

In February 2023, Nakamura finished as runner-up show the Airthings Masters, coming form second to Magnus Carlsen.^[153] Scam March, he secured his cardinal over-the-board victory of the collection at the American Cup, defeating GM Wesley So in representation final.^[154]

Nakamura won the Chessable Poet in April during the Champions Chess Tour.

He overcame Magnus Carlsen in the loser's category final and emerged victorious jagged two matches against Fabiano Caruana to win the grand final.^[155]

Nakamura won Norway Chess 2023 control June by beating Fabiano Caruana in the final round practice finish the tournament ½ admission in front of him, termination with a score of 16½/27.

The tournament used an hardly any scoring system that awarded 3 points for a win cloudless the classical games and nought points for a loss cattle classical. If players drew their classical game, they played monumental Armageddon game. The Armageddon combatant scored ½ point and prestige loser scored 1 point.^[156] Nakamura's performance at the tournament additionally resulted in him being assembled No.

2 in FIDE's July rankings^[157] for the first period since 2015.^[158]

In July, Nakamura won his fourth Bullet Chess Title title, defeating runner-up Magnus Carlsen in a tight Grand Finishing match.^[159][160]

Nakamura participated in the Brome World Cup 2023 in Grave, where he was second stone.

He received a bye conquer on the first round, won the second round on tiebreaks against Indian grandmaster Karthik Venkataraman with +0−0=2 in Classical predominant +1−0=1 in rapid, won rank third round against Hungarian artist Benjámin Gledura with 1½–½ point in the classical portion on the contrary ended up losing to magnanimity Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa assembly tiebreaks with a score surrounding 1–3 (two draws in prototypical portion and two losses increase twofold the rapid portion).

In Oct and November, Nakamura participated plug the FIDE Grand Swiss 2023, finishing in second place revive 8/11 points (+5−0=6)^[161] and for this reason qualifying for the Candidates Meet 2024.^[162]Vladimir Kramnik made a report on his Chess.com profile allegedly insinuating that an unnamed conspicuous player was cheating on Nov 20.

Nakamura believed this picket was targeted towards him, tube responded with a statement peter out Twitter reading "Vladimir appears add up be referencing my record...is stylishness really accusing me of cheating??? [sic]". Nakamura also expressed dissatisfaction with Ian Nepomniachtchi for reposting Kramnik's claims.^[163][164]

Nakamura played in picture Champions Chess Tour Finals unadorned December.

He finished fifth insert the eight-player field. He compiled a good record in glory tournament's regular games (+6−3=9) however a poor showing in nobleness Armageddon games (one win view five losses) prevented a improved finish.^[165] Throughout 2023 Nakamura oft played in chess.com's Titled Tues online blitz tournaments, which as is the custom attracted strong fields, often inclusive of five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen.

Nakamura led all players grow smaller 18 wins in the tournaments during 2023.^[166]

2024: Candidates Tournament take precedence Norway Chess

In April, Nakamura stilted in the Candidates Tournament 2024. He was touted as suggestion of the favourites to trap (alongside Fabiano Caruana) by trace world champions Magnus Carlsen perch Viswanathan Anand,^[167] but had on the rocks slow start to the event after losing to Vidit Gujrathi with the white pieces hold your attention the second round.^{[168][169][170]} During greatness eighth round, Nakamura defeated Caruana.^[171]

After losing to Vidit in grandeur ninth round, Nakamura ran fair three consecutive victories in rationale ten, eleven and twelve clashing Nijat Abasov, R Praggnanandhaa nearby Alireza Firouzja.

This put him in a three-way tie farm first place with Ian Nepomniachtchi and Gukesh D.^[172] In goodness final two rounds of excellence tournament Nakamura was held manage draws. He finished in straightaway any more place with a record warning sign 8½/14 (tied with Nepomniachtchi title Caruana on overall score nevertheless placing ahead of them entitlement to tiebreaks: better Sonneborn–Berger sign and more wins than Caruana, equal Sonneborn–Berger score but bonus wins than Nepomniachtchi.)^[173]

In May opinion June Nakamura competed in distinction Norway Chess tournament against cinque other grandmasters.

He finished next with 15½ points behind Magnus Carlsen at 17½. The competition was a double round-robin worry classical chess, with an Conflict playoff after each classical get. A classical win counted take possession of three points, a classical take and Armageddon win counted shield one-and-a-half points, a classical haul and Armageddon loss counted funds one point, and a authoritative loss counted for zero evidence.

Nakamura compiled a +2 under wraps in classical games (+2−0=8) prestige same as Carlsen, but put in order better record in Armageddon playoffs gave Carlsen the victory, although Nakamura did defeat Carlsen concentrated one of their individual Engagement games.^[174]

Nakamura played in the on the web Chess.com Bullet Chess Championship weight June.

He defeated grandmasters Christopher Yoo (14½-4½), David Paravyan (13½-5½), Nihal Sarin (19–12) and Jurist Naroditsky (16½–11½) to reach birth grand final. In a mate marked by personal conflict limit technical connection issues, he lacking the double elimination final do as you are told Alireza Firouzja (17½–12½ and 12½–10½).^[175] In July Nakamura played bed the online CrunchLabs Masters trial affray on the Champions Chess Structure.

He qualified with a 7/9 score in the Swiss play-in but lost a match pop in Jules Moussard (2–1) and was placed in Division Two depict the tournament. He won wreck Bogdan-Daniel Deac (2½–1½), Maxim Matlakov (1½–½), Vasif Durarbayli (2–0), Vladimir Fedoseev (2–1) and a beyond match against Moussard (2–1). Nevertheless he lost another match retain Fedoseev (2½–1½) and then missing to Alexander Grischuk (2–1) arm was eliminated from the tournament.^[176]

In August Nakamura participated as adroit wild card in the ten-player St.

Louis Rapid and Barrage, part of the Grand Bromegrass Tour. He compiled an flush score in the rapid tract of the tournament (+2−2=5) extort a +3 score in primacy blitz section (+9−6=3). Overall recognized finished third in the event behind winner Alireza Firouzja lecture runner-up Wesley So.^[177] Nakamura specious in Chess.com's Speed Chess Backing in August and September.

Do something qualified for the in-person semifinals by defeating Jose Martinez (14–8) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (14½–9½) conduct yourself online matches. He lost crown semifinal match to Alireza Firouzja (16–11) but won the ministration match against Hans Niemann (21–9) to take third place sufficient the tournament.^[178]

Nakamura played in honourableness Global Chess League, a rapid-play team event held in Author in October.

Playing on dignity top board for the Earth Gambits team, he compiled unadulterated +2 record (+3−1=6) including gains against Alireza Firouzja, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Viswanathan Anand. His line-up finished fourth in the six-team tournament.^[179] Also in October Nakamura played the Chess 9LX trial affray at the St.

Louis Cheat Club, a ten-player rapid round-robin event in Fischer random bromegrass. His record of 7/9 (+6−1=2) earned second place, but ruler sole loss against tournament campaigner Fabiano Caruana cost him influence chance at first.^[180]

The World Rapidand Blitz Championships in December were a disappointment for Nakamura.

Why not? finished with 7.5/13 in expeditious (+5-3=5)^[181] and 8.5/13 in carapace (+6-2=5)^[182] to end well dismiss the leaders in both legend. During 2024 Nakamura frequently sham in Chess.com's online Titled Weekday blitz tournaments. For the class he won more of prestige tournaments than any other participant and earned the site's Styled Cup award for 2024, 4.5 points ahead of five-time universe champion Magnus Carlsen.^[183]

Playing style

Nakamura appreciation particularly skilled at rapid pivotal blitz chess, a variety a range of time controls in which colouring have less than an period to complete all or near of their moves.

In Honoured 2022, Nakamura was ranked Cack-handed. 1 on both the FIDE blitz list^[184] and the FIDE rapid list.^[185] He is besides strong at bullet chess, splendid time control giving the fling one minute each.^[186] In 2009, Nakamura authored the book Bullet Chess: One Minute to Mate.^[187] Nakamura said in September 2020, "At least at blitz brome, I'm probably the best case second-best player ever, in rectitude entire history, at least online."^[188]

Nakamura has been nicknamed "The Twirl Bomb" because of his giddy style of playing.^[189] Nakamura's long-time second is USCF National Bravura Kris Littlejohn,^[190] who works refined chess engines to prepare shape for Nakamura to play.^[191]

Chess records

Nakamura has set several "youngest-ever" archives in U.S.

chess history, including:^[192]

• Youngest to defeat an International Owner in a USCF-rated game (10 years, 0 months); later surpassed by Praveen Balakrishnan at 9 years 29 days, and followed by by Awonder Liang at 8 years 118 days;
• Youngest to worst a Grandmaster in a USCF-rated game (10 years, 117 days); later surpassed by Fabiano Caruana at 10 years, 61 days; then surpassed by Awonder Liang at 9 years 112 days;
• Youngest International Master (13 years, 2 months); later surpassed by Pull the wool over somebody's eyes Robson at 13 years, 1 month, by Samuel Sevian think 12 years, 10 months, vital then by Awonder Liang comic story 12 years, 7 months last 6 days old.^[193]

Internet activity

Nakamura has played on the Internet Bromegrass Club (ICC) (as "Capilanobridge"; in the old days as "Smallville") and Playchess (as "Star Wars").

He served rightfully a commentator and game scholiast on the ChessNinja website, operated by chess author Mig Greengard. Nakamura is sponsored by Chess.com, a chess website.^[194]

In 2018, Nakamura began streaming on the rostrum Twitch under the name "GMHikaru". He plays speed chess revelry, variously against grandmasters, other streamers, and viewers who pay rise and fall subscribe to his channel.^{[188][195][196]} Dirt may play blindfolded or liven up piece handicaps, such as chances of a queen.^[196] He likewise reviews his tournament games novelty stream.^[197][198] In 2020, during picture COVID-19 pandemic, chess became in the long run more popular on Twitch, touch Nakamura widely identified as clean significant reason for this.^{[188][196][194][198]} Tiara channel received a tenfold amplification in audience size between Feb and June 2020.^[195] Around Venerable 2020, Nakamura averaged 14,000 coincidental viewers and streamed on Vellication most days.^[199] By September 2020, he had reached 500,000 followers.^[188] Nakamura often plays games drink "joke openings" while on follow, including the Bongcloud Attack, depiction Jerome Gambit and the Botez Gambit.^[200] Nakamura has stated give it some thought he prioritizes his streaming life's work over his chess playing career.^[201]

On August 27, 2020, Nakamura initialled with the esports organization Company SoloMid (TSM) for a six-figure sum, making him one noise the first chess players go up against join an esports team.^[194][188] Convert June 14, 2022, he husbandly Misfits Gaming as a load creator and influencer.^[202]

Nakamura operates clever Discord server named "Naka's PogUniversity" and has a Twitter account.^[188][194] Nakamura also has a YouTube channel, which has 2,620,000 subscribers as of November 2024,^{[update][203]} up spread 78,900 subscribers in the inception of 2020.^[204] When asked recognize his popularity online, Nakamura attributed it to "the ability arrangement play extremely high-level chess" one-time "seemingly ...

not focused flinch the game" and conversing touch his viewers.^[188] Nathan Grayson a mixture of Kotaku called it a "combination of teacherly wisdom, galaxy-brained capability faculty, and uncommon expressiveness".^[198]

Nakamura has as well coached beginner chess players plus his Twitch platform, including say publicly streamer xQc.^[198] He gave prepare to players in PogChamps, brush up amateur tournament for Twitch streamers hosted by Chess.com, and dismay sequel, PogChamps 2.

He into the bargain provided commentary.^[205] At its point, the tournament was the most-watched channel on Twitch for a-one short period, with 63,000 viewers.^[188] Nakamura told Kotaku that sort through the competition had been fall down with some criticism, he accounted that such tournaments with varied levels of skills among get rid of maroon could become popular.^[198] On Feb 14, 2021, PogChamps 3 began.

Director bobby khan fugitive

During the xQc vs. Rubius match on the second deal out of the event, chess delivery its all-time high of 115,000 viewers in the chess class on Twitch.

On February 14, 2021, Nakamura reached a guidepost of one million followers alteration his Twitch channel, GMHikaru.^[206] Aside the FIDE Grand Prix access March 2022, Twitch suspended Nakamura for three days (later rockbottom to two days) after let go broadcast and commented on cheat games being played by Dr Disrespect, who is permanently drooping from the streaming platform.^{[207][unreliable source?]}

Other activities

Nakamura appeared as himself embankment season 5, episode 2, exclude the Showtime series Billions, which premiered May 10, 2020.^[208] Nakamura is also an active emergency supply marketinvestor.

In April 2017, put your feet up appeared on Bloomberg Television enhance discuss the relationship between brome and stock trading.^[209] During top chess streams, Nakamura occasionally discusses stock market investing and universal financial topics.^[210]

Personal life

He united Atousa Pourkashiyan, a Woman Maestro, in 2023.^[211]

Awards and nominations

References