The US should follow Uzbekistan's example! Hans Niemann criticizes the chess federation

Chess is developing rapidly in India and Uzbekistan, with new talents emerging every day. American grandmaster Hans Niemann expressed his opinion on this and sharply criticized the chess system in the United States.

"Instead of investing in its own talents, the United States is bringing in legionnaires"

According to Niemann, systematic support for the development of chess in India is contributing to this. For example, former world champion Viswanathan Anand coaches the strongest chess players, and the government financially supports young talents. In the United States, such infrastructure does not exist.

"There is no real support for chess in the United States. Talented young people are mostly leaving to study at Ivy League universities and abandoning chess. If we want to be a leader in world chess, we need to develop our own talent instead of transferring players from other countries. With the current model, US chess may disappear," said Niemann.

"The system that has relied on foreign players for years is not working"

Niemann criticized the US Chess Federation's strategy, noting that chess players such as Caruana, Aronian, Dominguez and So were previously representatives of other countries. Their arrival in the United States is mainly due to financial incentives. Meanwhile, local talents such as Niemann and Mishra receive minimal support.

"Should we spend $200,000 a year to attract chess players who have defended the honor of other countries for 25 years, or should we cultivate our own talents? This model will not work in the long term. One day, when the hired chess players retire, we will be left with nothing," Niemann warned.

"India and Uzbekistan should be an example for us"

Neimann noted that the necessary opportunities for young chess players are not being created in the United States, citing the experience of Uzbekistan and India.

"India and Uzbekistan show how development can be achieved by investing in chess. There, the state and private sectors allocate huge funds to cultivate young talents. In the United States, when it comes to patriotism, there is almost no support for their own chess players," the grandmaster said.

Is he thinking about changing federations?

Niemann's chess career began in the Netherlands. He competed in national youth championships and even won first place for the Netherlands at the Olympics. Now there is speculation that he may change federations. If he abandons the United States, the Netherlands could be his new home.

Niemann's criticisms have once again brought systemic problems in US chess to the forefront. Whether American chess will focus more on its promising young players or continue in its current direction remains an open question. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”