Hikaru Nakamura with 5,0/5 in Iowa on the road to Candidates Chess 2026
Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, the world’s number-two ranked chess player, continued his quest for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament by dominating the 70th Iowa Open Chess Championship. The five-round Swiss tournament, held at the Graduate Hotel in Iowa City, saw Nakamura deliver a flawless 5.0/5 performance, further solidifying his path toward qualifying for the prestigious event that determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship.
Nakamura road to Candidates 2026 so far
09.01.2025 Hikaru Nakamura wins Louisiana State Chess in a bid for Candidates 2026 spot
09.06.2025 Hikaru Nakamura continues his quest for Candidates Chess 2026
09.06.2025 Hikaru Nakamura, “I will collect all US State Chess Championship Honorary Titles on my Road to the Candidates 2026”
09.07.2025 Iowa Chess Open Championship 2025 LIVE
09.08.2025 Hikaru Nakamura with 5,0/5 in Iowa on the road to Candidates Chess 2026
Nakamura’s participation in the Iowa Open, a state-level tournament with a $2,200 prize fund, is part of his calculated effort to meet FIDE’s requirement of playing at least 40 classical games between February 2025 and January 2026 to be eligible for the Candidates rating spot. With only 18 classical games played earlier this year (eight in The American Cup 2025 and ten in Norway Chess 2025) Nakamura needed additional games to reach the threshold. The Iowa Open provided five FIDE-rated classical games, bringing him closer to his goal.
Rated at 2807 entering the event, Nakamura faced opponents significantly lower in rating, with the second seed, Candidate Master Anjaneya Sripathy Rao, holding a FIDE rating of 2147—a 660-point gap. Other notable players included Valeriy Kosokin (2143), Tim McEntee (1931), and young talents like Elijah Logozar (1937). Despite the rating disparity, Nakamura’s presence elevated the tournament’s profile, drawing crowds and giving local players a rare opportunity to face a global chess superstar.
Flawless 5,0/5 for Nakamura on the Road to Candidates 2026
Nakamura’s performance in Iowa was nothing short of commanding. Playing under a G/90 time control with a 30-second increment, he dispatched his opponents with precision, conceding no draws or losses. His first-round opponent, Benjamin Darr (1915), lasted just 25 moves, with Nakamura finishing the game with more time on his clock than he started, thanks to the increment. Other games followed a similar pattern, as Nakamura’s superior skill and experience overwhelmed his competition.
The final standings reflected his dominance, with Nakamura securing the first prize and the honorary title of 2025 Iowa Open Champion (Read: Hikaru Nakamura, “I will collect all US State Chess Championship Honorary Titles on my Road to the Candidates 2026”). For the local chess community, his participation was a historic moment. A young participant, Vivaan Parameswaran (1279), expressed excitement despite the inevitable loss, “I know I will lose quickly, but I will get to say I played Hikaru Nakamura.”
More about Nakamura’s road to Candidates 2026
Nakamura’s focus on state championships stems from his decision to skip major events like the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 and World Ches Cup 2025, which offer direct qualification paths to the Candidates. Instead, he is banking on securing the rating spot, awarded to the player with the highest average rating from August 2025 to January 2026. With Magnus Carlsen unlikely to participate, Nakamura is the frontrunner for this spot, holding a 20+ point lead over competitors like R. Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi.
With Iowa in the books, Nakamura has now played 29 classical games in 2025, leaving him 11 short of the required 40. He has hinted at participating in additional “Mickey Mouse” tournaments, his tongue-in-cheek term for these smaller events ,to accumulate the necessary games while maintaining his rating. His next moves will be closely watched, both for their impact on his Candidates eligibility and for the continued debate over FIDE’s qualification system.
As Nakamura continues his quest, the chess world remains divided. Some see his strategy as a pragmatic necessity, while others view it as exploiting a loophole in FIDE’s rules. Regardless, his presence in Iowa City has left an indelible mark on the local chess community and brought his goal of challenging for the World Championship one step closer.For live coverage of Nakamura’s games and updates on his Candidates journey, follow Chessdom or visit his streaming channel at http://kick.com/gmhikaru