GM Hikaru Nakamura

Bio: Once recognized as a record-breaking prodigy, GM Hikaru Nakamura has now emerged as a dominant force on the World chess scene. Currently ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and 8th in the world, Nakamura has been ranked as high as 6th and said he has shifted his focus on reaching his ultimate goal of one day winning the World Championship.

He became the youngest master in American history at the age of 10, then broke Bobby Fischer’s record by becoming the youngest American Grandmaster at 15. In 2004, he advanced into the sweet 16 at the World Championship in Libya. He also won his first U.S. Championship at the age of 16.

He’s racked up numerous championships over the past decade, and despite his aggressive, individualistic style, Nakamura has proven to be a great team player: He was a two-time bronze medallist in the 2006 and 2008 Olympiad, playing for the U.S. team. His gold-medal-winning performance on board one at the 2009 World Team Championship helped the U.S. team earn silver medals. Nakamura won the 2009 U.S. Championship in Saint Louis and decided to move there just prior to the 2010 U.S. Championship. His most recent crowning achievement was his victory at the 2011 Tata Steel Chess tournament, which featured one of the strongest fields in the history of the event.