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Nakamura: I'm Behind Only Carlsen!
4 May
Summary
- Nakamura believes he is the world's second-best chess player.
- He defended chess rating systems, stating they accurately reflect skill.
- Nakamura cited Gukesh and Sindarov as examples of fleeting focus.
Hikaru Nakamura has expressed contentment with his chess career, agreeing with Magnus Carlsen's assessment that he ranks as the world's second-best player. Nakamura, who has reached world No. 2 previously, noted that chess enthusiasts often overlook long-term achievements in favor of recent outcomes.
He defended the integrity of chess rating systems, stating they do not 'lie' and accurately reflect a player's standing. Nakamura pointed to rising stars D Gukesh and Javokhir Sindarov, suggesting their reputations could be unduly influenced by short-term tournament results, a trend he believes the chess community often falls prey to.
Nakamura recounted a period in 2019 when his rating dropped significantly, making him question the future of his professional chess career. However, he successfully bounced back and has consistently remained among the top players since 2023, reaffirming his position in elite chess.
