Hikaru Nakamura: New Face of the WR Chess Team

Only a day after FIDE announced the roster of the WR Chess Team, Wadim Rosenstein shared the full updated line-up on his social media–including Hikaru Nakamu and Hou Yifan!

After having World No. 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen as a part of the team for the 2nd edition, WR Chess is ready to embrace World No. 2 and America’s best, Hikaru Nakamura, leading the team for the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships. It goes without saying that Nakamura is going to be an asset to any team he joins, owing to his speed chess prowess. Be it for his swift and clean moves or the facial expressions during the game, watching Hikaru play is always exciting for the viewers. Not too long ago, Hikaru expressed his agony following a disappointing performance at Freestyle Chess. Hikaru went so far as to state that he might retire soon. An opportunity to lead the team from the front at a World Championship event could set up a fairy tale redemption arc for the American.

In addition, Hou Yijan is set to appear for the third consecutive time with Wadim’s WR Chess Team. Yifan is the highest-rated women’s player in the world, and maintains her strength despite having retired (semi-retired) from the sport. Interestingly, Hou Yifan has not played an official tournament in about half a year. Yifan had a satisfactory Global Chess League (her last tournament), and the fans are going to be rooting for the world no. 1 to keep her form!