The third and final day of the “Hikaru vs. Awonder Candidates Training Match” has concluded. Awonder Liang scored 3 wins in 4 Rapid games, and 2 wins in 4 Blitz games to win the tournament with a 2-point lead.

The final standings are:

Place Player Score
1. 🇺🇸 GM Awonder Liang 6
2. 🇺🇸 GM Hikaru Nakamura 4

Hikaru Nakamura commented on his loss in the match:

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

World No. 2, streamer

“It became very clear that I need to manage my time better, especially when I have less than 30 minutes left. I need to work on that before the Candidates.

Of course, this is not the match result I was hoping for. But it’s good experience ahead of the big event. The main thing is that I now understand what I need to do next week in Cyprus.”

The Hikaru Nakamura vs. Awonder Liang Candidates Training Match is a three-day sparring event held from March 13 to 15, serving as a warm-up for Nakamura’s participation in the Candidates. The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will take place from March 28 to April 16 at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus.

Credit: Lennart Ootes