Fabiano Caruana Criticizes US Government for Neglecting Chess Development Amidst Rise of Indian and Uzbek Talent
Chess Star Fabiano Caruana Critiques US Government for Lack of Support, Highlights Growth in India and Uzbekistan
April 28, 2026 — In a striking commentary on the state of chess in the United States, World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana has voiced his concerns over the government’s lack of support for the sport. The American chess prodigy, who made headlines as the last US player to compete in a World Chess Championship match in 2018, emphasized that while the US has a rich chess heritage, it is falling behind as countries like India and Uzbekistan surge ahead.
Caruana’s remarks come at a time when the chess landscape is rapidly evolving. The emergence of young champions such as India’s D. Gukesh, who became the youngest world champion at just 18, and Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov, who recently clinched the FIDE Candidates 2026 title at 20, underscores a significant shift in chess dominance. Sindarov is set to face Gukesh later this year for the world title, further highlighting the competitive prowess of these nations.
In an interview with Romanian newspaper Ziarul Financiar, Caruana lamented the lack of investment from the US government, stating, “The government and companies should invest in chess; it’s very beneficial. But in the US, the situation is a little different… The government is not involved in chess development, so we rely on companies and private sponsors, such as the Saint Louis Chess Club.”
He pointed out that countries like India and Uzbekistan have made remarkable strides in chess due to substantial government support. “If you look at countries that have made the most progress over the past two decades, such as Uzbekistan and India, these are precisely the places where governments have invested a lot of effort and resources in chess. And the results are clear,” Caruana noted.
The statistics back his claims. Uzbekistan won the Chess Olympiad Open title in 2022, while India triumphed in 2024. In stark contrast, the last time the US secured a win in this prestigious event was in 2016.
As the chess world watches the upcoming showdown between Gukesh and Sindarov, Caruana’s comments serve as a wake-up call for the US chess community. With the sport’s popularity soaring globally, the question remains: will the US government step up to reclaim its position in the chess hierarchy?
As the chess community awaits the outcome of the world title match, one thing is clear: the future of chess may depend on how nations choose to invest in their young talents.