![\"'Are](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-129977494,imgsize-58850,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/usa-gm-hikaru-nakamura-blasts-fide.jpg\" "\\"USA")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: World No. 2 American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has hit out at FIDE, the world chess governing body, over what he sees as excessive anti-cheating measures at the 2026 Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. Opening his fourth Candidates with a loss to fellow American Fabiano Caruana, Nakamura took to his YouTube channel with Norwegian GM Jon Ludvig Hammer and Luxembourg\u2019s WIM Fiona Steil-Antoni to vent his frustration.\u201cMy general view about the whole topic of delay, cheating over-the-board, and all this stuff is that I frankly think it\u2019s nonsense,\u201d Nakamura said. \u201cConsidering the amount of machines they have to scan the players in the room, it\u2019s all complete nonsense. I really do.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Nihal Sarin Exclusive: Candidates 2026 Predictions, Anish Giri’s ‘Drawish’ Tag, and More #Chess <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The chess star criticised the security measures, jokingly questioning the level of scrutiny. \u201cIt\u2019s not that I have any problems with it. I just think that the fears some players have expressed are completely overblown. I\u2019m just going to be honest\u2026 They scan us before the game. They scan us after the game. They have the metal detector. They have a variety of other separate scanners. I mean, who are we? Are we like Mossad agents inside Iran or something? Come on, we\u2019re chess players! Let\u2019s be real,\u201d he said.When asked if he had raised his concerns with FIDE, Nakamura admitted he hadn\u2019t. \u201cFIDE? No, of course, I haven\u2019t voiced this opinion to FIDE. I don\u2019t really see a reason to. When I look at FIDE or the things being done, I really have no point in arguing with them or saying anything,\u201d he remarked.\u201cMy general view is that it\u2019s all overblown. At a smaller open tournament where you don\u2019t have all these scanners and equipment, I can understand the concerns. But at an event like this, where everybody is in a room, there are arbiters watching everyone, and cameras on everyone\u2026 I mean, without inside help, nothing can happen. I just think it\u2019s all nonsense.”ALSO READ: <\/span>\u2018We saw tanks on the road\u2019: How playing chess amid regional conflict feels<\/a>Nakamura has started the tournament with 1.5 points from four rounds, sharing results with Anish Giri, Andrey Esipenko, and Wei Yi after his opening defeat. The pack is currently led by Javokhir Sindarov, who has already racked up three wins in four rounds.<\/div>\n\n