Hikaru Nakamura Biography: Net Worth, Siblings, Age, Wife, Girlfriend, Parents, Twitter

Hikaru Nakamura is a globally recognized chess Grandmaster known for his prowess in rapid and blitz formats.

Born in Japan and raised in the United States, Nakamura became one of the youngest chess grandmasters in history.

His fame surged through his achievements in major international chess tournaments, including multiple U.S. championships and global titles in Blitz and Fischer Random Chess.

Apart from his tournament success, Nakamura has become a popular figure through his chess streams on Twitch and YouTube, bringing a new audience to the game.

Profile

• Full name: Hikaru Nakamura
• Date of birth: December 9, 1987
• Age: 37 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chess Grandmaster, Streamer
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
• Parents: Shuichi Nakamura (father), Carolyn Weeramantry (mother)
• Siblings: Asuka Nakamura (brother)
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Japanese-American
• Net worth: $50 million

Early Life and Education

Hikaru Nakamura was born on December 9, 1987, in Hirakata, Japan.

At age two, Nakamura moved with his family to the United States, where he grew up under the tutelage of his Sri Lankan stepfather, Sunil Weeramantry, a well-known chess coach.

Hikaru’s mother, Carolyn Weeramantry, played an instrumental role in his early development, along with his older brother Asuka, who also became a strong chess player.

By age seven, Nakamura began competing in chess tournaments, showing exceptional skill from an early age.

Hikaru was awarded the grandmaster title at 15, making him the youngest American to achieve this distinction.

Although he attended Dickinson College, Nakamura focused more on his chess career, eventually deciding to pursue it professionally.

His chess talent, paired with innovative strategies, quickly catapulted him to the upper echelons of the global chess scene.

Personal Life

Hikaru Nakamura has largely kept his personal life private. He is currently unmarried and has no children.

Although no reports of long-term relationships have been confirmed, Nakamura has mentioned his love for travel and food during interviews and streams.

Most of his time is spent playing professional chess, streaming, and traveling for tournaments.

Career

Nakamura’s chess career began early when he became a grandmaster at just 15. Since then, he has claimed five U.S. Championship titles and numerous international accolades, including victories at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament and the Gibraltar Chess Festival.

Nakamura regularly competes in top-level tournaments worldwide and is known as one of the best blitz and bullet players.

In 2023, he won the prestigious Norway Chess tournament by defeating Fabiano Caruana in a thrilling final round, boosting his FIDE rating to No. 2 globally.

Nakamura is widely respected for his dynamic and aggressive style of play, which is particularly evident in rapid formats.

Awards

• U.S. Chess Champion: 2005, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2019
• Winner, Tata Steel Chess Tournament: 2011
• Winner, Gibraltar Chess Festival: 2016
• Winner, Fischer Random World Championship: 2019
• Winner, Norway Chess: 2023
• 5-time Speed Chess Champion
• Numerous Blitz and Rapid Tournament wins

Net Worth

Hikaru Nakamura’s net worth is estimated at $50 million. His income comes from chess tournament winnings, sponsorships, and his successful streaming career.

His partnership with organizations like Misfits Gaming and his digital content creation through Twitch and YouTube contribute significantly to his earnings and regular participation in high-stakes chess events.

Controversy

Over his career, Hikaru Nakamura has been involved in a few controversies, particularly surrounding his outspoken nature.

Most notably, Nakamura was embroiled in the 2022 controversy involving fellow chess player Hans Niemann.

Niemann accused Nakamura and other top chess figures of defamation following Nakamura’s public commentary on Niemann’s alleged cheating scandal.

In response, Nakamura was sued by Niemann for $100 million, although Nakamura defended his statements as fair criticism.

The controversy dominated chess media in late 2022, and Nakamura’s reputation took a temporary hit among some fans. However, his immense online popularity allowed him to weather the storm.

Nakamura has often voiced his opinions on the changing landscape of chess, occasionally clashing with more traditional players or organizers.

Despite these occasional issues, Nakamura remains one of the game’s most influential and followed personalities.

Social Media

• Instagram: @gmhikaru
• Twitter: @GMHikaru

Books

• Bullet Chess: One Minute to Mate (with Bruce Harper)
• The Road to Chess Improvement (contributor)