Who is Hikaru Nakamura? Quick Facts on Flamboyant Chess Grandmaster Who Beat The Viral Gukesh - His Net Worth, Wife, And Ranking

In a rare blend of speed, strategy, and showmanship, Hikaru Nakamura sealed a clean sweep for Team USA by defeating D Gukesh in a bullet chess match that has reignited interest in the grandmaster's unique career and rising global profile.

On 05 October 2025, the Arlington Esports Stadium in Texas became the stage for a dramatic moment in modern chess. In a loud, unconventional setting, Hikaru Nakamura delivered a show-stopping checkmate against India's reigning world champion, D Gukesh. The match marked the conclusion of The Checkmate: USA vs India, an exhibition event that turned the usually silent game into a rowdy spectacle.

Nakamura's queen struck on d8, trapping Gukesh's king with support from a bishop on b2. The final match was played in the bullet format. Following the victory, Nakamura flung his opponent's king into the crowd, celebrating the USA's 5-0 clean sweep.

Who is Hikaru Nakamura?

Hikaru Nakamura was born on 09 December 1987 in Hirakata, Japan, and moved to the United States at the age of two. His stepfather, Sunil Weeramantry, began coaching him after spotting his older brother's chess talent, eventually guiding Hikaru through his early years in the game. By age 10, Nakamura had become the youngest American to defeat both an International Master and a Grandmaster in rated play.

In 2003, at 15 years and 79 days old, Nakamura became the youngest American grandmaster at the time, breaking Bobby Fischer's long-standing record by three months. That same year, he won the prestigious Laura Aspis Prize for being the top-rated American under 13. In the years that followed, Nakamura won the U.S. Championship five times and competed in multiple World Chess Championships and Candidates Tournaments.

Career Highlights And Chess Records With a peak FIDE rating of 2816, Nakamura ranks among the top ten highest-rated players in chess history. He has represented the United States in seven Chess Olympiads, winning one gold and two bronze medals. In the 2024 Candidates Tournament, he finished second, cementing his continued relevance in elite chess.

He has also held world No. 1 positions in rapid and blitz formats since FIDE introduced those rankings in 2014. Nakamura is widely known for his creativity, risk-taking, and aggressive play, often using unconventional openings, such as the Bongcloud Attack, during his games and livestreams.

Streaming, Esports, And Online Popularity Since 2018, Nakamura has become one of the most prominent faces in online chess. He streams regularly on Twitch, YouTube, and Kick, with 2 million Twitch followers and over 3 million subscribers on YouTube as of September 2025. He attributes his success online to his ability to explain high-level chess while engaging directly with viewers.

He first signed a six-figure deal with esports team TSM in 2020, later moving to Misfits Gaming, and most recently, to Team Falcons, a Saudi-backed organisation. He is credited with helping chess go viral during the COVID-19 pandemic and played a central role in events like PogChamps, where influencers competed under his guidance.

Net Worth, Sponsorships, And Investments Nakamura's net worth is estimated by sources at around £41 million (approximately $50 million), making him one of the wealthiest chess players ever. While only a small portion of his income comes from tournament prizes, it is believed that he earns considerably from streaming, esports sponsorships, and endorsements, including energy drink brands.

He is also an active investor in the stock market and regularly speaks about financial topics on his streams. Nakamura has used his platform to raise funds for various causes, including abortion rights and global charities.

Personal Life And Current Ranking Nakamura married Iranian Woman Grandmaster Atousa Pourkashiyan in 2023. In July 2025, he announced they were expecting their first child. While he continues to compete in top-level events, Nakamura has stated that content creation is now his main professional focus.