Hikaru Nakamura has declined his slot to participate in the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship. Hikaru shared his thoughts on the event and explained his reason for declining. The streamer highlighted the greater importance of preparing for The Candidates, which will be held from March 28 to April 16 in Pegeia, Cyprus.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

World No. 2, streamer

“A few months ago I was invited to the first leg of the 2026 Freestyle Tour with the same format and prize fund. I let everyone know that I’d be playing there.

Just a few days ago I received news that there will be no year-long tour for Freestyle. The format for the only event to be held will be only three days and only rapid formats. Instead of the tour that was planned, Freestyle has joined forces with FIDE and are now calling it a World Championship. I think it might hold the record for most rushed arrangement for a World Championship title in history.

I truly enjoyed the first event in Weissenhaus in 2025, and it’s a shame that the classical length format wasn’t continued. Furthermore, this all feels like a hastily arranged tournament with less than 1/3rd the prize fund it originally had, and now it’s attached to FIDE, which isn’t a positive development in my opinion.

Despite many phone calls and messages from the organizer, I have decided to decline my slot in this event. I have an important tournament in the end of March/April to focus on, and that is where my attention will be.”

American GM Hikaru Nakamura (2810) is the current Chess 960 World Champion. 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.