A brief biography of Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura was born on December 9, 1987, in Japan, but grew up in the U.S., where he started playing chess from a very young age. At 15, he became the youngest American grandmaster since Bobby Fischer. He’s known for his aggressive style and lightning-fast thinking — no surprise he’s one of the best blitz and bullet players in the world. Hikaru is a five-time U.S. Champion and a regular face in elite classical tournaments, but in recent years he’s become hugely popular online as one of the top chess streamers on Twitch and YouTube. He’s helped bring chess to a wider and younger audience. In 2022, he made a major return to classical chess by winning the Candidates Tournament, proving he still belongs among the world’s best. Outside of chess, he enjoys poker, video games, and frequently shares his sharp commentary and humor during chess broadcasts.