Hikaru Nakamura

Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7 Today I’m joined by a young super-GM Awonder Liang. We talked about his matches against Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann, the 2026 Candidates, and the discontinued Webster chess program. Awonder also shared his thoughts on chess mindset, playing under stress, what it takes to become great, and his own training routine and goals. And of course, we finished with a blitz game you don’t want to miss! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Awonder's X: https://x.com/awonder676 Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo My podcast with Peter Svidler: https://youtu.be/qVpKE0mTVsI My podcast with Erigaisi: https://youtu.be/3Nvfuk70v6g Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:11 — Match vs Hans Niemann 03:25 — Playing under stress 07:31 — The Chessreps discussion 11:12 — Awonder’s chess mindset 14:50 — Recent troubles in Awonder’s play 17:07 — Did beating Hikaru matter? 20:53 — Confidence in chess 24:42 — Sacrificing everything for chess? 29:01 — How much does Awonder train? 29:52 — What does Awonder train? 33:06 — Do chess books matter? 35:42 — Pattern recognition 38:49 — Plan to become World Champion 41:34 — Awonder’s chess goals 42:56 — Webster chess program discontinued 45:46 — Chess support in the U.S. 50:08 — Candidates 2026 53:06 — Blitz vs Awonder My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #awonderliang #hikarunakamura #hansniemann #uschess #candidates2026 #chesspodcast #chessinterview #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #cwm

When I read on GM Eugene Perelshteyn ’s blog that his amateur friend had signed up to compete against players like Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann in the Naroditsky Memorial, I knew I had to hear this story. That friend is NM Mike Mahoney. Mike is a pharmacist by day and a devoted online blitz player by night. For Mike, chess is usually a way to unwind, not something he takes too seriously. But he couldn’t pass up the chance to test himself in one of the strongest blitz tournaments the U.S. has ever seen. Eugene will be mentoring Mike and traveling with him to Charlotte, and they both joined me to discuss: Why Mike decided to jump into such a stacked field How Eugene is preparing him for the challenge How Mike defines “success” in a tournament like this We also talk about Mike’s unconventional path to becoming a National Master, starting relatively late, as well as some great stories from the Boston blitz scene. I’m excited to follow how this unfolds, and Eugene and Mike will be back after the tournament for a trip report. In the meantime, you can follow Mike’s journey on Eugene’s blog . Be sure to check out the Perpetual Chess YouTube channel where Eugene goes over one of Mike’s model games against the Caro-Kann. (The video will be out later this week) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcudElmRsQYTwULtd_gnFw 00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Journey 02:50 Mike's Decision to Compete in the Naroditsky Memorial 05:41 Eugene's Support and Coaching Role 08:41 Mike's Past Experiences with Top Players 11:35 Analyzing Mike's Strengths and Weaknesses 14:37 Training and Preparation for the Tournament 17:31 Opening Strategies and Game Analysis Mentioned: The Hungarian Dragon The Dragodorf 20:32 Eugene’s Philosophy on Gimmicky Openings 23:21 Defining Success in the Tournament Mentioned: IM Marc Esserman 27:04 Excitement in Facing Strong Opponents 31:35 Setting Performance Goals as a Coach 34:02 The Importance of Blitz Clock Management 35:33 The Origin Story of a Late Chess Starter Mentioned: Ilya Koyfman 36:39 Factors Contributing to Success in Chess 39:16 The Value of Community in Chess 40:56 The Evolution of Chess Accessibility 43:25 The Importance of a Fun and Relaxed Approach 43:37 Learning from Losses and Honest Reflection 46:02 Stories about legendary GM Roman Dzindziashvilli and Bobby Fischer Mentioned: Dzindzi-Jansa move 25 https://lichess.org/study/Th7i9fr2/kxMPOEjA 49:00 Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors 50:00- Thanks to Eugene and Mike for joining me! You can follow Mike’s training and progress on GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s blog. https://eugeneperel.substack.com/ If you would like to help support Mike’s dream trip you can do so via this Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-chess-rocky-to-fight-supergms-in-charlotte?lid=nlkk8jxujhda&utm_source=product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TXN_User_Messaging_Thank_You_Option_A&utm_content=internal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho

Ce podcast retrace le parcours exceptionnel de Hikaru Nakamura , une figure centrale qui domine les échecs mondiaux tant par ses performances sportives que par son influence numérique. Véritable enfant prodige , il a battu des records de précocité aux États-Unis avant de remporter de nombreux titres prestigieux, notamment en Chess960 et lors de championnats nationaux. Réputé pour son style de jeu agressif et sa maîtrise inégalée des cadences rapides , il a su transformer sa discipline en un phénomène de divertissement moderne. En devenant le pionnier du streaming sur Twitch et en rejoignant une organisation d'esport, Nakamura a réussi à populariser les échecs auprès d'une nouvelle génération de passionnés . Ce portrait souligne ainsi sa double identité de grand maître international et de créateur de contenu visionnaire.

What happens when chess meets business, AI, and superstar athletes? In this episode, Manan sits down with Prachura — a professional chess player and entrepreneur — to talk about blindfold chess, global icons like Hikaru Nakamura, R Ashwin joining chess, and why India could become the next chess superpower. Chapters 00:00 Intro: Mic & Magic with Prachura 01:20 Learning Chess at 4 Years Old 02:10 How Blindfold Chess Works 02:55 Running a Global Chess League Team 03:30 Making Chess a Mass Sport in India 04:14 Hikaru Nakamura as Icon Player 05:01 R Ashwin Joining Chess 05:48 AI in Chess Training 07:34 Chess vs Business Strategy 08:21 Is Chess a Physical Sport? 09:11 The Future of Indian Chess 🎙 About the Episode: In this episode of Mic & Magic, 14-year-old host Manan speaks with Prachura about much more than just chess moves. This is not a boring technical chess interview. This is about: 1. Playing chess without even looking at the board 2. Working with world number two Hikaru Nakamura 3. Convincing cricket star R Ashwin to join a chess team 4. Using AI in chess training 5. Turning chess into a mass spectator sport in India 6. Running a chess team like a business 7. It’s chess… but bigger, smarter, and more exciting. 👤 About the Guest: Prachura is a professional chess player and entrepreneur.He co-owns a team in the Global Chess League and works with international stars like Hikaru Nakamura. He believes chess should not just be a niche sport — it should become a mainstream spectator sport in India.He combines: Chess strategy, Business thinking, AI innovation, Vision for Indian chess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prachura/?hl=en 🔥 5 Key Takeaways >From This Episode: 🧠 1. Train Your Brain Like a Muscle Blindfold chess isn’t magic — it’s practice. Prachura explains that the ability to calculate moves without seeing the board comes from consistent training and analysing games deeply.If you practise anything seriously — chess, cricket, coding, exams — your brain becomes stronger. Focus builds superpowers. ♟ 2. Think 5 Moves Ahead in Life Chess taught Prachura how to plan ahead — not just in games, but in business and decisions. He now uses chess strategy to: 1. Run a team 2. Make business decisions 3. Stay calm under pressure Success isn’t about reacting fast. It’s about thinking ahead, staying calm, and making smart moves. 🤖 3. AI Is Changing Chess Forever AI engines now help players train from beginner to grandmaster level. Chess has become more accessible because of technology. 🇮🇳 4. India’s Chess Revolution Is Just Starting With corporate backing, world champions, and young talent rising, Indian chess is entering a new era. Follow Mic & Magic: - YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@UCV6NNvHywv9lgDC1JWZJg0Q - Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mic.and.magic/ - X / Twitter – https://x.com/micandmagic - TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@MicAndMagic * Listen on:* - YouTube Music Podcasts – https://www.youtube.co

Hikaru Nakamura has officially declined his invitation to play in the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship, choosing instead to focus on another major world championship event later this year. In this video, we break down Hikaru Nakamura’s statement, explore the implications for freestyle chess, and discuss whether a hierarchy of world championships exists in modern chess. With FIDE, Freestyle Chess, elite players, and the future of chess titles all in focus, this decision raises important questions about prestige, scheduling, and governance at the highest level of the game. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcCYnCaW-MTNMo0BuxO3EkQ?sub_confirmation=1 https://buymeacoffee.com/matthewrichards2005

The 2025 Speed Chess Championship enters its most thrilling phase as Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, Hans Niemann, and Ian Nepomniachtchi headline the quarterfinals through to the finals. With blitz and bullet chess battles featuring elite players like Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, and Denis Lazavik, fans can expect high-speed tactics, precision, and psychological warfare. We break down each quarterfinal matchup, review key statistics, and preview who might lift the Speed Chess Championship 2025 title — and claim qualification for the 2026 Esports World Cup. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcCYnCaW-MTNMo0BuxO3EkQ?sub_confirmation=1 https://buymeacoffee.com/matthewrichards2005

Hikaru Nakamura’s dramatic celebration at Checkmate: USA vs India — where he tossed Gukesh’s king into the crowd — has ignited one of the most polarizing debates in modern chess. In this video, we explore the full controversy surrounding Hikaru’s actions, from the passionate defense by commentators like Nemo to sharp criticism from figures like Kevin Goh Wei Ming. Was it enthusiasm in a high-energy exhibition, or did it cross the line of sportsmanship? We break down the reactions from the chess community, including insights from John Bartholomew, Neetu Khandelwal, and others, to understand what this moment means for the future of chess as a spectator sport. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcCYnCaW-MTNMo0BuxO3EkQ?sub_confirmation=1 https://buymeacoffee.com/matthewrichards2005

Im 27. Schachtalk am Sonntag war Willeinhelm zu Gast bei Jonathan Carlstedt und Michael Busse. Der Content Creator erreicht mit seinen Videos auf TikTok, Instagram und YouTube Millionen von Menschen. Er erläutert, wie der Algorithmus auf den verschiedenen Plattformen funktioniert und wie er so erfolgreich wurde. Dazu sprechen wir auch über aktuelle Themen wie den verpatzten Auftakt bei der Mannschafts-Schach-EM (Niederlage gegen Dänemark) sowie die umstrittene Aktion von Hikaru Nakamura, der Gukeshs König ins Publikum warf. Folge direkt herunterladen ℹ Die besten Schachmaterialien im Chess Tigers Online Shop: Chess Tigers Shop 📕 Der Schach-Booster : Das Buch von Michael Busse mit den 10 besten Methoden zur Verbesserung im Schach: Hier bestellen 🎁 Kostenloses PDF: Jonnys 10 goldene Mittelspielregeln – Jetzt gratis herunterladen 💲 Besser werden im Schach: SPARE 10% beim Kauf von Kursen der 🎓 Schachakademie Chessemy mit dem 🔒 Code Schachgeflüster10

The highly anticipated Checkmate: USA vs India 2025 chess showdown brings the game back to the stadium stage in Arlington, Texas. Featuring superstar matchups like Hikaru Nakamura vs Gukesh Dommaraju and Fabiano Caruana vs Arjun Erigaisi, along with Carissa Yip, Divya Deshmukh, Levy Rozman, Sagar Shah, Tani Adewumi, and Ethan Vaz, this unique event combines world-class chess with the drama of live sports. With fast time controls, no resignations allowed, and a fan-friendly festival atmosphere, Checkmate: USA vs India promises to redefine how chess is experienced around the world. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcCYnCaW-MTNMo0BuxO3EkQ?sub_confirmation=1 https://buymeacoffee.com/matthewrichards2005

In Episode 10, we dive into one of the hottest debates in chess right now—Hikaru Nakamura’s controversial pursuit of a Candidates spot for the 2026 FIDE World Chess Championship. Rather than depending solely on traditional elite events like the Grand Swiss or World Cup, Hikaru has been accused of strategically facing much lower-rated opponents to secure rating points. We break down the arguments from both sides: is this smart strategy within the rules, or an abuse of the system? We also explore the impact on casual players unexpectedly paired with the world number two, the fairness of the current qualification cycle, and whether FIDE should consider reforms. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcCYnCaW-MTNMo0BuxO3EkQ?sub_confirmation=1 https://buymeacoffee.com/matthewrichards2005

As you may have heard, ⁠GM Hikaru Nakamura made a surprise appearance ⁠ at the Louisiana State Championship, as part of fulfilling FIDE’s World Championship qualification criteria. In return, the players he encountered gained memories and stories they’ll never forget. In this multi-guest special episode, I speak with several of Hikaru’s opponents, as well as the tournament’s organizer, to hear their firsthand accounts: Senior Tournament Director Richard Campbell (13:00) – on why he and his team initially thought Hikaru’s registration was a prank, and how they realized it was real. 20-year-old college student Harry James (32:00) – on how being paired with Hikaru in Round 1 unexpectedly cured his hangover. Tulane graduate student Nahum Villamil Garces (47:30) – on the lifetime memories he made after facing Hikaru in Round 3. Five-time Louisiana State Champion FM Nick Matta (1:06:00) – on how he forced himself to play Hikaru with no fear, and how the opportunity to play him re-energized his passion for chess. Baton Rouge-based NM Charles Campbell (1:34:00) – on the mixed feelings he had before his last-round showdown with Hikaru, as he vied for the state champion title. It was so much fun hearing the stories of our guests, and I was touched by the galvanizing effect Hikaru’s visit had on the Louisiana chess community Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:00-Introduction 8:00- If you know a scholastic player looking for high-level interactive online instruction, check out the Silver Knights Chess Academy: chessacademy.com/online Use code “pod” to save 50% on the first month 13:00- The first guest is Richard Campbell, the tournament organizer. How did he find out Hikaru was registered, did he think it was real? What did they do about security and cheat detection? Mentioned: NM Jude Acers 32:00- Harry James joins me , he is a 20 year old Tulane University student who was Hikaru’s first round opponent. It is not often a 1563 USCF player gets to play a super GM! Mentioned: Watch Hikaru’s recaps of his games vs. Harry and Nahum here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJCsHU4NVh8 47:30 - Nahum Villamil Garces , Hikaru’s 3rd round opponent, joins me. Nahum is graduate student at Tulane University who was playing his first tournament in the U.S. Mentioned: Gelfand-Nakamura 2010 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1567841 1:06:00 - 5-time Louisiana State Champion FM Nick Matta joined me to reflect on an instructive loss, and to compare the experience of playing Hikaru to his clashes against IM Levy Rozman and GM Hans Niemann. Mentioned: You can see Hikaru’s recaps of his games against FM Nick Matta and NM Charles Campbell here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watc

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) discuss Hikaru Nakamura's path to the candidates, along with who they'd like to see qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips 00:00 – Intro & Setup 01:31 – Is Hikaru the Exception? 08:36 – Balancing Streaming, Training, and Competition 09:23 – The Busy Chess Calendar 10:55 – Strength of the Tournament 14:39 – Ethics of Rating Manipulation 17:39 – Die-Hard Rules vs. Fair Play 22:27 – Mathematical Loopholes in Ratings 27:15 – Impact on Future Candidates 31:20 – Who Deserves to Be in the Candidates? 55:00 – Alternative Qualification Systems 58:33 – Broader Trends in Chess Ratings 1:00:12 – Closing Thoughts & Wrap-Up