Nakamura, Hikaru

Hikaru Nakamura, a 39-year-old American Grandmaster, is rated 2792 — just 24 short of his peak of 2816 (Oct 2015, age 28) and ranked 1st among American players, and 2nd worldwide. He is currently in the 2775–2800 range. 60 rated games in the past year (≈65/year long-term). Recent standard appearances include FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, 1st Annual Washington Dulles Open, and 2025 Maritime Chess Festival Open Championship. Also played 3 rapid (including 2025 Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown) and 2 blitz events (including 2025 FIDE World Blitz Team Championship Knockout) recently. He took a 26-month break between Dec 2019 and Mar 2022 (COVID-19 included). He reached World #2 in Oct 2015 and has been in the world top 3 for 39 months and counting (2 consecutive years on his current run).

Awarded GM in 2003 (age 16), IM in 2001 (age 14), and FM in 2001 (age 14). At junior level, he reached World #2 in U20, World #2 in U18, World #3 in U16 and World #4 in U14.