Hikaru Nakamura is currently on vacation in Cyprus. Javokhir Sindarov and Bibisara Assaubayeva are currently at the same hotel where Nakamura is staying. This became known from the chess players’ posts on social media.

Hikaru Nakamura commented on the situation on his X. Nakamura denies involvement in Sindarov’s World Championship preparation team.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

World's No. 2

“Many astute observers have noted that Sindarov and I are at the same hotel in Cyprus for the same dates, and they’re questioning if I’m on Sindarov’s World Championship preparation team.

While I’m not, I am advising him in a limited capacity about 2.Ke2. The OG prep was for an eventual World Championship match against Magnus, but as that won’t be happening, the world deserves to have this prep in the open, so I’m sharing it.

I’ve also heard that Magnus is sharing his 2.Ke2 prep with Gukesh. Good Luck to Sindarov and Gukesh, may the best 2.Ke2 win!”

2.Ke2 and losing the ability to Castle is the defining move of the Bongcloud Attack. Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura played the famous Double Bongcloud in 2021.

The FIDE World Championship 2026 is the crowning match to determine the World Champion. Match features defending Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov, the winner of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026. The match will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from November 25 to December 15.

Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE