Hikaru Nakamura to Travel to India for FIDE World Cup, Excited to Meet Stand-up Comic Samay Raina

World No 3 Hikaru Nakamura Excited to Meet Stand-Up Comic Samay Raina During India Visit for FIDE World Cup

World-renowned chess player Hikaru Nakamura has announced his plans to travel to India later this year to participate in the FIDE World Cup. Nakamura expressed his excitement at the prospect of meeting stand-up comic Samay Raina during his visit. Raina, who gained popularity during the pandemic with his online shows on chess, played a significant role in the sport’s surge in India and was also involved in the inception of the Global Chess League.

While Nakamura is currently competing at the Freestyle Chess event in Weissenhaus, Raina is in the USA but is expected to return to India soon. However, it should be noted that Nakamura may not be aware of the controversy surrounding Raina in India at the moment. Raina recently faced backlash over comments made by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia on his show “India’s Got Latent,” leading to the removal of all episodes from YouTube and the filing of FIRs against Raina and Allahbadia by Maharashtra cyber police and Assam Police.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Nakamura expressed his eagerness to meet Raina, acknowledging the comedian’s rise to stardom in India. He commended Raina’s contributions to the intersection of comedy and chess and hoped for a chance to connect with him during his visit.

While the host city for the FIDE World Cup has yet to be officially announced, AICF officials have confirmed that the event will take place in India. Nakamura, reflecting on his past experiences in India, shared his plans to arrive early to avoid jet lag and improve his performance in the tournament.

In addition to the FIDE World Cup, Nakamura revealed his upcoming participation in the St Louis Rapid and Blitz, American Cup, and Norway Chess events. He emphasized his determination to qualify for the Candidates tournament through strong performances in these competitions.

As Nakamura prepares for his upcoming chess endeavors, fans eagerly anticipate his meeting with Raina and the excitement that their collaboration may bring to the chess community.