On yesterday, Hikaru Nakamura won the 2005 U.S. Chess Championship held in San Diego, California. He will celebrate his 17th birthday on December 9th and his performance will go down in U.S. chess history as one of the most inspiring accomplishments.

A pre-tournament favorite, Nakamura has affirmed the "hype" surrounding his meteoric rise.  What is more intriguing is the fact that he has made his name without pretension and with strong self-determination.  His rise will give further credence the chess is played for the spirit of the battle!

Nakamura's Road to Victory

Round 1: Nakamura - FM Stephen Muhammad, 1-0
Round 2:
IM Cyrus Lakdawala - Nakamura, 0-1
Round 3: Nakamura
- GM Alexander Stripunsky, ½-½
Round 4:
GM Nick DeFirmian - Nakamura, 0-1
Round 5:  Nakamura
- GM Sergey Kudrin, ½-½
Round 6:
GM Gregory Serper - Nakamura, ½-½
Round 7:
GM Gregory Kaidanov - Nakamura, 0-1
Round 8: Nakamura
- GM Alexander Goldin, ½-½
Round 9: Nakamura -
GM Ildar Ibragimov, 1-0

GM Hikaru Nakamura
(Photo by Sunil Weeramantry)

Tiebreak Playoffs

Game 1:
GM Alexander Stripunsky - Nakamura, 0-1
Game 2: Nakamura -
GM Alexander Stripunsky, 1-0

View Games

Read, "Why Nakamura's Victory is Good for Chess

Hear NPR Interview with Hikaru Nakamura

Posted by The Chess Drum: 6 December 2004