American GM Hikaru Nakamura commented on his loss to Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov in Round 5 of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026. Nakamura blames his seconds, and notes that Sindarov played insanely.

Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

American GM, streamer

“Well, in this game… At least, I can’t be mad at myself. That’s the good news. This is 100% on the people who are working for me.

I had a file. It didn’t have the move castles. And honestly, I guess castling is technically a novelty, but it’s such a human move. And as soon as Javokhir played, I was thinking to myself: ‘What is this?’ I mean, this is actually insane.

You could say that over the board I should have figured it out somehow. But I think it’s insane. It’s impossible without knowing the correct line.”

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 takes place from March 28 to April 16 at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus. American GM Hikaru Nakamura (2810) holds 7th place with 1.5 points after 5 rounds of the tournament.

Credit: Yoav Nisenbaum / FIDE