Hikaru Nakamura commented on his game with Matthias Bluebaum in round 7 of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026. Nakamura states that Bluebaum deeply knew the position they played, and describes the game as playing against an engine.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

American GM, streamer

“As someone who has played both poker and chess for many years, I can say that was a bit of a tell.

I knew I was still making the best moves, because Matthias had studied this position in depth using a computer program. He’d seen which moves are best for both White and Black. And the fact that he continued to play immediately, or rather, instantly, told me I was on the right track.

But nonetheless, it’s very unpleasant. Because again, I wasn’t playing against a human here. I was basically playing against Stockfish, because every move there was no thinking.”

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 takes place from March 28 to April 16, at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus. German GM Matthias Bluebaum holds 6th place and American GM Hikaru Nakamura 7th place after the first half of the tournament. The game between the grandmasters ended in a draw.

Credit: Yoav Nisenbaum / FIDE