American GM Hikaru Nakamura shared his opinion on the fan-made nickname of Argentine GM Faustino Oro on Kiсk stream. Nakamura says Faustino is far from the elite to be called the ‘Messi of chess’, and discusses whether Oro can become a top player.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

American GM

“I do think calling Oro the ‘Messi of chess’ is very much a bad thing.

I’m not a fan of it, mostly because it applies a tremendous amount of pressure. We all know who Lionel Messi is and how great he is at soccer, but he is the best of the best. And I really think it’s bad to use monikers like this, because you put a tremendous amount of pressure on someone who just became a GM and someone who frankly has a long way to go…

Will Faustino get there? It’s definitely possible. But there’s also a very good chance that Oro never makes it into even the Top-20 or Top-30. I really dislike adding this pressure and giving these monikers because I feel like nothing good really can come out of it.

If Faustino were, let’s just say, Top-50 in the world — I would be fine with giving a moniker like that. But he’s so far away from being anywhere near the top that I feel that only bad stuff can come from it. I really don’t like this.

I really wish people would stop throwing it around all the time.”

Fans have nicknamed Faustino Oro the ‘Messi of Chess’ for his Argentinian roots, rapid skill growth, and the records he has achieved. The nickname was first popularized by chess commentators and the Argentinian sports media in September 2023.

12-year-old Faustino Oro became the second-youngest GM in history on May 10. Faustino holds all records as the youngest player to reach 2500 in Classical, Rapid, and Blitz. He became the youngest IM in history at the age of 10 in 2024.