Hikaru Nakamura commented on Jan Henric Buettner’s statement about Hikaru not wanting to participate in the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2026. Nakamura claims Buettner’s conclusion is fake, and explains why he refused to participate in the tournament.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

World's No. 2, streamer

“Buettner claims that it would be bad for my brand if I didn’t do well in the tournament. But I literally never said that!

The guy just making up stuff, completely. It’s unbelievable that someone would make up such stuff, but I guess he’s desperate. Or maybe I live rent-free in his head so he has to make something up to justify me not playing, as opposed to simple reality.

I just didn’t want to play after all the changes and everything that happened during the tour.

It’s really sad to see this. I don’t know why people choose to do this…”

American GM Hikaru Nakamura (2810) was the Chess 960 World Champion from 2022 to 2026. Hikaru won the 2022 Fischer Random World Championship by defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in the final with a score of 3-2 and securing a prize of $150,000. Hikaru commented on his refusal to participate in the 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship in January.

Credit: Lennart Ootes