Hikaru Nakamura commented on his game against Javokhir Sindarov at the Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown 2026. Nakamura notes the unusual Scotch Game variation that Sindarov played. Hikaru jokes that he studied this opening before Javokhir was born.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

World's No. 2

“In the last game I was a little bit surprised by the opening choice from Javokhir. But it’s an opening that I think I was studying, at least, to some degree, before he was born. Because my stepfather Sunil played this stupid variation…

Well, Sunil could tell himself that castling is inaccurate. At least in this position, even Sunil at like 75 years old knows the theory better than a World Championship competitor!”

The Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown 2026 takes place from October 27 to 29, at the Saint Louis Chess Club in Missouri, USA. Hikaru Nakamura leads the tournament with 4 points. Javokhir Sindarov is in second place with 3.5 points. Nakamura and Sindarov drew both of their games against each other on the first day.

Credit: Yoav Nisenbaum / FIDE