Hikaru Nakamura is one of the greatest chess talents of his generation, but as the Candidates Tournament approaches, serious questions remain about whether he is fully prepared for the challenge. Unlike past champions who prepared with intense discipline and physical conditioning, Nakamura's preparation seems lighter, and some critics believe that could cost him dearly.
Before Bobby Fischer challenged the Soviet chess machine in the early 1970s, he trained relentlessly. Fischer reportedly spent months in the Catskill Mountains training physically and mentally -- swimming, playing ping-pong, lifting weights, and building stamina. Fischer understood something many casual fans overlook: chess at the highest level is not only about moves, but endurance.
Stamina matters not only in classical chess but also in rapid and blitz formats, where fatigue quickly leads to blunders. Long classical games can last six or seven hours, and tournaments like the Candidates require sustained concentration over many rounds. Simply playing occasional training games against strong opponents is rarely enough preparation for a world championship cycle.
In contrast, Nakamura himself admitted in a video before the Candidates that his preparation consisted largely of a month of training, including a practice match against a Awonder, a younger prodigy, that he lost. That kind of preparation raises doubts about whether he is ready for the immense pressure of the Candidates Tournament.
Even some top players have been openly skeptical. Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi bluntly stated that Nakamura’'s chances of winning the Candidates are "zero," reflecting skepticism among many elite players.
Other commentators and trainers from the Russian chess world have expressed similar doubts, suggesting that a Nakamura victory would be surprising. To some observers, the criticism feels reminiscent of the old Soviet chess establishment closing ranks against an outsider.
History shows that overcoming such skepticism requires extraordinary preparation. Fischer did not simply challenge Soviet dominance--he crushed it. In his march toward the world championship he defeated Mark Taimanov 6-0, Bent Larsen 6-0 and then Tigran Petrosian before finally beating Boris Spassky to claim the title.
Fischer's success was built on obsessive dedication to the game. He studied endlessly, trained physically, and approached the world championship as a life-defining mission.
For Nakamura, time may be running short. At 38 years old, he is still one of the strongest players in the world, but opportunities to challenge for the world championship do not last forever. The Candidates Tournament may represent one of his last realistic chances to win the crown.
Nakamura has acknowledged that he needs to improve certain aspects of his play, particularly time management when the clock falls below thirty minutes. He plans to focus on that problem in the two weeks leading up to the event, but two weeks may not be enough to solve a long-standing weakness.
Former world champion Viswanathan Anand has also commented on the upcoming Candidates, noting that players such as Fabiano Caruana and others have strong opportunities to seize the moment and claim the challenger’s crown.
The Candidates is not a sprint; it is a marathon. Winning requires not only brilliant ideas but also stamina, discipline, and the relentless hunger to become world champion.
As the saying goes, to win the world championship you must be hungry like the wolf. The title demands total commitment. It is not something a player can simply step into without preparation.
Whether Nakamura can summon that level of determination remains to be seen. If he can combine his extraordinary talent with deeper preparation and endurance, he could still shock the chess world. But if not, the Candidates may pass him by--nd with it perhaps his last chance to place the crown on an already remarkable career.