Hikaru Nakamura makes the candidates tourney for World Chess Championship

[Johnny2X2X]

Hikaru wins his 3rd match in a row in the FIDE Grand Prix Berlin, the 3rd leg today. Absolutely a stunning development in the world of chess.

Hikaru is a Youtube and Twitch streamer, he was once a world class classical player and reached 2nd in the world, but he withdrew somewhat from competitive classical chess and just started earning money by streaming rapid, blitz, and bullet chess games daily. Those are 10/3/1 minute time limits games. He's the world's top speed chess player. But few thought he could have a chance to do much at the FIDE Grand Prix tourneys which decide who gets to compete in the candidate tourney for the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen, the world champion for the last decade. He won the first leg, and now just won his group in the 3rd leg and now he's secured his spot in the 8 person tourney for the right to challenge for the world title.

He was given an exemption to enter, and people said he didn't deserve it, so for him to win the first leg and ultimately make the candidates tourney is really something. Hikaru is extremely personable, he's made high level chess available to the masses as he let's everyone know what he's thinking while he plays online. And he gives great and frank analysis of his classical games afterwards. Just amazing insight that wasn't as available in previous generations.

Really amazing to see, and he's a fun guy to root for. He's going to have his work cut out for him, the other 7 players in the tourney are all beats. But Hikaru is playing very strongly right now and he's playing a care free and risky style because he's not taking it as seriously as he once did. I think 4 players are definitely stronger than him right now, but he could beat the other 3 in that field. And if something totally shocking happened and he won it, I don't see him having a chance to beat Magnus.

Really fun to watch. Also, Hikaru gives the US 2 players in the Candidates Tourney, He and Fabiano Caruana

Carlsen said he'd only play world #2 18 year old Alireza Firouzja from France, and Firouzja is the favorite to win this, Carlsen doesn't think anyone else has a chance to beat him and he's probably right, but he and Hikaru are friends and I bet Hikaru's popularity would precipitate Carlsen plays him.

[drray23]

1. I am an avid chess player and watch his streams. I was also watching the grand prix live today.

and saw Hikaru winning his last game closing the deal since at the same time Lenier Dominguez lost . He was the only other player who could catch him for a spot for candidates.
I think he is stronger than ever now because he completely availed himself of pressure. His career as a streamer is so successful that he no longer feels the pressure in classical OTB chess.
At this level all those super gm are really good. The difference is mental toughness. Hikaru could possibly play stronger that he ever has because of that.

[Johnny2X2X]

3. I think he's playing as well as he ever has

But I think his whole, “I don’t care” mantra is not what it’s portrayed. He still cares, and he’s been very well prepared for each opponent, I think it’s more about how he’s not being miserable with it anymore. More care free, than grinding. It’s allowing him to play more relaxed and see more. He’s the least emotionally attached to any single tactic he begins that is possible. He has a strategy, but he’s not invested in it so he allows himself to be brutally honest with every move. He’ll abandon something the second it’s no longer the best course.

He also understands game theory as well as Carlsen does. He understands that his opponents get emotionally invested in tactics and he can use that against them.

Nakamura has always had weak openings, but he might have the second most powerful chess computer between his ears in the chess world to Carlsen. Carlsen is a freak of nature, when the chips are down he’ll make the most accurate moves. I’d love to see this version of Hikaru vs Carlsen in world title mode. I’d be really intrigued by the team Hikaru puts together too. If he could get Duda, Levin, and Fabiano in his corner he’d come up with something fun for Carlsen to deal with.

[lastlib]

2. Another chess fan here, though I don't follow much on the internet.

Would love to see Hikaru play for Carlsen's title! Or Wesley So, for that matter. I don't know enough about Firouzja beyond his rating, but if he wins the right, I have no doubt he'll play Carlsen tough in a match.

[Johnny2X2X]

4. His videos are the greatest

Very little ego. When he misses something he says so, when he could have made a better move he says why he didn’t see it. Amazing stuff.

[Johnny2X2X]

5. Semis were today for the Grand Prix

Nakamura drew Mamedyarov and now tomorrow there's pressure on Mamedyarov to win with White because it goes to tie breakers if they draw again and the tie breakers are speed chess of which Nakamura has a huge advantage.

American Wesley So beat Tabatabaei. So is another player who's fun to watch, he's very prepared and very humble.