Hikaru Nakamura commented on the result of the US Chess Championship 2026 playoff. Nakamura says Wesley So was simply better prepared. Hikaru notes that Fabiano Caruana could not beat Bobby Fischer’s record.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

World's No. 2

“For Fabi this has to be an absolute heartbreak. But in general, when we look at the games today, it feels like Fabi was under massive pressure in both of the games. It seemed like Wesley was simply better prepared and played better in this event.

For Fabi, it’s got to be very tough to suffer this loss. Because it ends his dream of winning a fifth US Chess Championship title in a row. Which would have, I believe, tied Bobby Fischer’s record from many, many years ago.

For Wesley, even though yesterday was a was a big hiccup for him, he does play great in the playoff. He recovers, shows great resilience, and he does get the very deserved win in this 2026 US Chess Championship.”

The US Chess Championship 2026 took place from October 9 to 22, at the Saint Louis Chess Club in Missouri, USA. After 11 rounds, Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana finished tied at the top with 7 points each. The first Rapid game ended in a draw in the playoff. Wesley defeated Caruana in the second playoff game and won the tournament.

Wesley So won $56,000 for the victory in the event. Wesley won his 4th US Chess Championship. So stopped Fabiano Caruana’s streak of four consecutive US Championship titles. Bobby Fischer won eight US Championships in a row from 1957 to 1967.

Credit: Lennart Ootes