American Grandmaster Hans Niemann shared a surprising and somewhat controversial opinion ahead of the Candidates Tournament. According to him, renowned chess player Hikaru Nakamura should not be considered the main favorite in this competition. Niemann believes that Sindarov is currently in much better shape and more consistent in his performance.
Known in recent years for his bold statements and independent views within the chess community, Hans Niemann openly criticized Nakamura's preparation approach. He argued that participating in numerous lower-tier and amateur tournaments primarily to accumulate rating points adversely impacts Hikaru's overall level of play.
Niemann also called out Nakamura for his remarks about FIDE officials, particularly Emil Sutovsky. He claimed that these statements contained excessive aggression and an unprofessional tone unbecoming of a sportsman, adding that such behavior can tarnish the prestige of major competitions.
The chess player further highlighted the lack of reliability in Nakamura's recent games. According to Niemann, Hikaru has struggled even against weaker opponents at times, unable to secure straightforward victories.
“Unless some serious changes occur soon, it’s hard to see Nakamura as a top contender at the Candidates Tournament. Personally, I would place Sindarov above him,” Niemann candidly stated.
Additionally, he mentioned other strong contenders in the tournament, such as Fabiano Caruana and Praggnanandhaa. Niemann’s comments are certain to spark heated debates among chess enthusiasts leading up to the Candidates Tournament.
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