Hikaru Nakamura, the world’s second-ranked chess player, has hinted at retirement from Classical chess. After a hard-fought victory over 16-year-old Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra in the American Cup, Nakamura opened up about his struggles. “Lately I haven’t been enjoying chess very much,” he admitted in a conversation with International Master Eric Rosen.
“The End Is Much Closer Than the Beginning”
Nakamura revealed that he has been seriously contemplating his future in the sport. He stated, “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and even before the whole boom, there were many times that I said I was hoping to basically quit chess by the time I was 40, and as far as Classical chess goes, I still have that view.”
He further emphasized his perspective, saying, “Maybe I can make it to the Candidates, maybe I’ve won two more cycles, but as far as Classical, the end is much closer than the beginning for sure.”
A Tough Battle Against Mishra
Despite advancing to the semifinals, Nakamura admitted that his match against Mishra was far from smooth. Mishra secured the first win in the playoffs after two draws in Classical games, forcing Nakamura to fight back. He credited Mishra for his strong defense and acknowledged missing several winning chances before finally sealing victory in Game 6.
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A Shift in Focus?
While Hikaru Nakamura has not confirmed a retirement timeline, his growing interest in non-Classical formats is evident. He has been actively involved in Freestyle Chess and upcoming events like the ESports World Cup. His recent comments suggest that he may continue competing but in formats he enjoys more.
For now, Nakamura is set to face GM Leinier Dominguez Perez in the American Cup semifinals. Whether he continues his Classical chess journey beyond this tournament remains uncertain. However, his statements indicate that the chess world might soon witness a major transition in his career.
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