FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eric C. Johnson March 26, 1998 (914) 562-8350 Press Release #12 of 1998
NAKAMURA BREAKS AGE BARRIER AS NATION'S YOUNGEST MASTER
Hikaru Nakamura is the nation's youngest National Master, earning a place in the record books at an amazing 10 years and 79 days.
Nakamura smashed the previous age record with a post-tournament rating of 2203, set at a tournament held February 26, 1998 at New York's famous Marshall Chess Club. His recent feat broke the previous record set in 1995 by Vinay Bhat, of San Jose, Calif.
The new record-holder's achievement is remarkable for another reason: he first played serious chess in February 1995, and has only started playing frequently within the past two years.
Nakamura is also the youngest U.S. player to defeat a titled player (International Master or higher) in tournament competition. He won a game from International Master Jay Bonin on December 31, 1997, repeated the feat against International Master Alexander Stripunsky on February 19, 1998, and finished with a win against National Master Ilijas Terzic on February 26.
He is the current National Primary (K-3) champion, and represented the U.S. at the 1997 FIDE World Youth Championships in Cannes, France this past December.
Nakamura, who was born December 9, 1987 in the Osaka Prefecture in Japan, lives in White Plains, N.Y. with his parents Sunil and Carolyn Weeramantry and his brother Asuka. Asuka, 12, is also one of the country's top scholastic players, with a current rating of 2082.
When asked to comment on whether his younger son has similar success in friendly family encounters, Weeramantry, one of the nation's top chess teachers and coaches, paused for a moment and then said, "First it was IM Bonin...then IM Stripunksy...I guess I'm next on the list!"
The term "National Master" refers to a specific level of the nationwide rating system organized by the U.S. Chess Federation, the national governing body for chess in the United States. Fewer than one percent of all players (including adults) ever complete the requirements to be recognized as a National Master.
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For more information about this and other chess events, contact Assistant Director Eric C. Johnson, U.S. Chess Federation, 3054 NYS Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553; phone: (914) 562-8350; FAX: (914) 561-2437; World Wide Web: http://www.uschess.org.