GMHikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura was born in Hirakata, Japan, in 1987 and moved to the United States at two. He grew up in White Plains, New York, with his older brother Asuka. His mother was a musician and teacher. He learned chess at seven and received coaching from his stepfather, the chess educator Sunil Weeramantry. At fifteen, he became the youngest American grandmaster of his time. His first U.S. championship came in 2005, and he went on to win the title five times. He won the 2011 Tata Steel tournament.

Nakamura also helped the United States win Olympiad team gold in 2016. In 2022, he won the FIDE Fischer Random World Championship, defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in the final. He has combined elite competition with a second career as a broadcaster and online creator. His streams bring viewers into his thinking during fast games, while collaborations have introduced chess to audiences outside traditional clubs. The growth of online chess during the pandemic greatly expanded that audience. His broadcasting commitments did not end his classical ambitions. He returned to the Candidates Tournament in 2022 and finished tied for second on points in the 2024 edition.