Nakamura v. Liang - Live!

by ChessBase
3/14/2026 – Hikaru Nakamura is playing a training match against Awonder Liang in Saint Louis as he fine-tunes his form ahead of the Candidates Tournament, which begins in two weeks' time. The three-day encounter, running from 13 to 15 March, combines classical, rapid and blitz games. Liang, ranked 25th in the world, provides strong opposition in a match broadcast live on Nakamura's Kick channel. | Follow the games live starting at 18.00 CET (13.00 ET, 22.30 IST)
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally.
FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before. 

Classical game #2

Hikaru Nakamura is facing Awonder Liang in a training match in Saint Louis as part of his preparations for the Candidates Tournament, which begins in two weeks' time. The encounter offers Nakamura valuable competitive practice against a fellow US grandmaster. Liang, currently ranked 25th in the world and 7th in the United States with an official rating of 2714, is 22 years old and a former two-time world youth champion.

The match is taking place on 13–15 March and features a mixed format. Two classical games are played on Friday and Saturday, followed by a faster programme on Sunday consisting of four rapid games and four blitz games. The following time controls are in place:

  • Classical: 120 min / 40 moves + 30 min / game, + 30 sec / move from move 41
  • Rapid: 15 + 10
  • Blitz: 3 + 2

All games are being broadcast live on Nakamura's Kick channel, allowing fans to follow the training contest with expert commentary.

Live games and commentary

Hikaru Nakamura's Kick channel

All games

In this course, you will learn the foundations and key ideas of the Vienna Game and discover a variety of systems that make you extremely difficult to prepare for.
The Vienna Game is one of the most underrated openings in modern chess. While the Ruy Lopez and Italian dominate elite practice, the Vienna offers rich, creative play with far less theoretical burden and enormous practical value.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: 1: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 - Martin vs Adams

<< Andrew Martin: The Vienna Game - Dynamic, Flexible and Deeply Underestimated
Topics: Awonder Liang, Hikaru Nakamura
Reports about chess: tournaments, championships, portraits, interviews, World Championships, product launches and more.
Discussion and Feedback Submit your feedback to the editors

See also

Liang beats Salem in Sharjah's "Battle of Minds"

2/17/2026 – US grandmaster Awonder Liang travelled to Sharjah to face Saleh Salem in the 12-game "Battle of the Minds", a mixed-format match held from 7 to 12 February. Combining rapid, classical and blitz chess, the contest remained closely balanced throughout. An early lead in the rapid segment ultimately enabled Liang to secure a narrow 8½–7½ victory. | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
More...
 3

See also

Nakamura shares first place at Dulles Open, is now eligible for Candidates' rating spot

11/11/2025 – Hikaru Nakamura has completed his campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament by reaching the required 40 classical games. The world number two played the Washington Dulles Open last weekend, sharing first place and fulfilling the FIDE threshold. His strategy of entering smaller North American tournaments has proved effective, leaving him well-placed to claim the rating qualification spot for the Candidates. | Photo: Rick Massimo / US Chess
More...
 2

Video

60m How to fight Queen's Pawn Openigns

After 1.d4 d5 many players with White avoid the great amount of theory in the Slav, Semi-Slav, QGA and Orthodox Queen's Gambit and do not therefore play 2.c4. This is not very ambitious, but the painful experience of many chess players has been that the Colle System, the Trompowsky Attack, the Torre Attack and the London System are nevertheless extremely dangerous. Black has to be prepared for each of these openings and IM Valeri Lilov offers you some help with his six instructive videos, in which he demonstrates for each single opening a relevant plan for Black. In addition to the openings mentioned, the Bulgarian trainer also delves into the Catalan, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit and the Richter-Veresov Opening.