'Hikaru Nakamura is the second best chess player, he certainly deserves that': Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen has thrown his weight behind his good friend, world No 2 Hikaru Nakamura, amid growing criticism against the American Grandmaster after a poor Fide Candidates tournament. Nakamura qualified for the Candidates through Fide circuit points that he collected by winning "small open" tournaments and skipping major tournaments like Sinquefield Cup and Grand Swiss.

Nakamura, however, had a poor tournament, winning just one game and finishing fifth in the Fide Candidates 2026, which was won by 20-year-old Javokhir Sindarov. Nakamura was the highest-rated player in the tournament, but his poor performance and his qualification pathway led to intense criticism as some fans questioned his credentials.

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Carlsen defends Nakamura

Carlsen, however, has defended Nakamura, calling him the second-best chess player in the world regardless of his result in the Candidates and what fans believe in. Carlsen added that Nakamura's performance in top tournaments is a testament to the fact that he is second only to him.

"I don’t think that’s a very hot take," Carlsen said in a video posted by Esports side Team Liquid Chess. "The rating list and results in top tournaments of all formats say that he’s the second best. He’s had a fantastic resurgence of his career after Covid that has continued to this day. And he certainly deserves that."

Earlier, Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi had said that Nakamura was first a chess content creator and later a player as he analysed the American's run at the Candidates tournament.

It must be noted that Carlsen and Nakamura are teammates at Team Liquid Chess.

Magnus on his career and future 

The five-time world champion, Magnus, also reflected on his career as he clarified that he is yet to achieve a lot despite relinquishing the world title in 2022, and he is never satisfied.

"No, I’m not satisfied. I’m never satisfied," Carlsen added. "I’m very happy with a lot of my play, but I’m not done yet."

Meanwhile, Carlsen returned to classical chess for the first time in 2026 on Friday as he played out a draw against India's Arjun Erigaisi at the 2026 TePe Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament. We have analysed how Carlsen was held to a draw here.