Chess-Nakamura downplays ratings controversy after taking 'Mickey Mouse' route to Candidates

Jan 6 : Hikaru Nakamura split ‌the chess world this year by reaching the Candidates Tournament after thrashing minnows at a series of low-tier events but the grandmaster is unrepentant and says any player would make the same moves as him under the circumstances.

The world number two capitalised on a regulation that awards a Candidates place to the highest-rated eligible player, provided they have played at least 40 FIDE-rated games during the qualification period.

With world number one Magnus Carlsen opting out of the world championship cycle entirely,  Nakamura became the highest-rated eligible player by default and met the activity requirement, later describing his route to the Candidates as a “Mickey Mouse” path to the event that determines the challenger for the world title.

Nakamura's peers ‌took the more conventional route, competing at elite events such as the World Cup, Grand Swiss or ‌the year-long FIDE Circuit, where grandmasters fought tooth and nail for one of the other seven spots at the Candidates.

Nakamura documented his journey on social media, posting videos and photos of his opponents, who were stunned at getting the chance to play a super grandmaster - players rated above 2,700 ELO - at events such as the Louisiana State Championship and the Iowa Open.

"The controversy is complete nonsense," Nakamura told Reuters via a virtual call from the Global Chess League, where he was playing with the Fyers American Gambits.

"Any chess player, they know the game. They'll do whatever they can to ensure the optimal outcome, just like they do ‍when they actually play chess over the board.

"I think the vast majority of people did not have an issue with it. I don't see any issue with it, because I know that any player in my