Nine year old chess player Hikaru Nakamura has acquired the habit of winning. He is already a national champion, having won the 1996 National Third Grade Championship in Terra Haute, Indiana, but he will not rest. His latest feat is unprecedented - in the Greater New York Elementary School Championships, he won the Primary Championship and the Elementary Championship on two successive days, with a perfect score in both events! This amazing accomplishment won special "stop the press" notice from Empire Chess magazine editor Carrie Goldstein. Hikaru is the younger brother of another chess star, eleven year old Asuka, and the stepson of chess coach (and author) Sunil Weeramantry.

Hikaru started playing tournament chess in January 1995, at the Junior Chess Congress East in Stamford. He learned the game on his own, picking up the moves from having been around chess players. In October 1995, with his rating in the 700s, he competed in NSCF tournaments in Greenburgh, White Plains, Greenwich, and Hunter and won five tournaments in a row, with a 20-0 score!

By the end of the national tournaments the following spring, his rating had risen to the mid-1300s - a tremendous jump. In the 1996 National Elementary Championships, while listed as 1195, he defeated three players rated over 1500. A sixth round win would have forced a pairing against Asuka, even though they played for the same school, Ridgeway Elementary in White Plains. But the brothers were spared such a dramatic confrontation when Hikaru lost to third-seeded Cindy Tsai of Florida.

How does Hikaru take losing? He used to take it badly, but learned to adjust to it as his tournament experience increased. It is quite a trick to adjust to an experience you are not used to bearing! He avoids losing by working very hard at the board and keeping his focus and concentration on the game. He has his brother’s successful experiences to motivate him, and talks about bettering them. It looks as if he is well on his way. He is rated 1846 on the February 1997 USCF ratings supplement, and he is just past 9 years of age. He plays every chance he gets, and is rarely "off his game." While he still enjoys competing in scholastic events, he prefers playing in major adult tournaments like the World Open and U.S. Open. In recent months, he has several wins against experts, and has drawn 3 masters, including IM Jay Bonin (see the game below).

How does Hikaru study chess? He practices a lot against the computer, writing down the moves of each game, just as if it were a serious tournament game. He knows his opening systems, and practices them against the computer. He has a good memory, and this aids his learning.

Is this the best way to learn? Sunil notes that different people have different ways of learning, and that it is necessary to experience various styles, which means playing against all sorts of people as well as against inanimate objects. At the U.S. Open in 1995, Hikaru sat in the skittles room and challenged anyone who came in - he played hundreds of games this way. Then in the Fall, as noted earlier, he won 20 games in a row. Practice is a very important way to get better.

What is his style? "Aggressive, definitely aggressive." says Sunil. But he has a much better feel for the endgame than most kids his age. An important attribute of his style is his intensely competitive attitude - he refuses to accept a bad position and will fight to the end. He has saved many games this way.

How much does it help to be living with a famous chess teacher? Sunil says he does not spend much time working with Hikaru. Perhaps it is a matter of osmosis, or just breathing the chess-rich atmosphere in the family!

How does he balance chess and school? Hikaru is strong in his schoolwork as well. He is not obsessed entirely with chess, but balances it with other activities. He likes music, and he is a Yankee and Ranger fan - he even memorized the Ranger's official 1995 handbook!

How does the mother of two chess playing brothers handle the tension of competitive chess life? Carolyn says she has gotten used to it. She doesn’t get nervous as often as she did with Asuka, and doesn’t worry about the games. She figures whatever happens, happens. So far, he’s happy with all his progress.

What is Sunil’s perspective from the parent’s chair? "If a kid really enjoys something, just go along with it. It’s a journey - continue on it without predetermined plans. Anything can happen along the way - just try to enjoy it as it’s happening. Some parents can’t enjoy the present - they are always looking for the next step."

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Ne4 6.Bxe7 Nxc3 7.Qg4

7... Qxe7 8.Qxg7 Qb4 9.Qxh8+ Kd7 10.bxc3 Qxc3+ 11.Ke2

11...Nc6 [Black does not take the time to recapture the rook; instead he develops a piece for the attack. 11...Qxc2+ can also be played here - but Black may have wanted the White king to stay where he is, blocking the bishop on f1.]

12.Rc1 [A strong defensive move.] b6 13.Kd1 Ba6 14.Qxa8 Bxf1 15.Ne2 Bxe2+ 16.Kxe2 Nxd4+ 17.Kd1 Qc4 [Threatening mate.] 18.Re1 Nb5 19.Re3 Qf1+ 20.Kd2 Qxf2+ 21.Re2 Qf4+ 22.Re3

22...Qf2+ [Not 22...d4 23.Qe4.] 23.Re2 1/2-1/2