Niemann accuses America of buying chess mercenaries as India overtakes USA
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Indian chess continues to hit new heights as five men from the country have moved into the top 15 in FIDE live world rankings. Incidentally, India is the best-represented country in the top 15. The USA has four GMs in the top 15, while former chess superpower Russia has only one representative (Ian Nepomniachtchi) in the top 10.
Aravindh Chithambaram's recent rise has led to India's increased representation in the top 15. World Champion D Gukesh is the top-ranked Indian, followed by Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa, while five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand is ranked 15th.
India's consistent performances in chess prompted an interesting response from American Grandmaster Hans Niemann (world rank: 20). In a recent X post, Niemann hailed India's dominance "largely due to structural support" and the influence of Vishy Anand.
"America has no infrastructure, all of the most talented players go to Ivy leagues and quit chess. If we want to dominate the chess world, we need to support young talents instead of buying players from other countries like mercenaries," Niemann posted. "If things continue this way, American chess will fade into obscurity."
Niemann is a controversial figure in chess who has been accused of cheating by a few prominent players, including World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway. Niemann's controversial remark about the US buying "players like mercenaries" is likely to raise several eyebrows.
Niemann is USA No. 6, and at least three Americans ranked higher than him were not born there but immigrated as adults and later became naturalised citizens, including Cuban-born Leinier Dominguez Perez (USA rank: 5) who became a naturalised citizen in 2019.
USA No. 3 Wesley So became a naturalised American citizen in 2014 after transferring his chess federation from the Philippines, while Armenian Levon Aronian became an American citizen in December 2021 after announcing his decision to switch federations.
Since his return to power, US President Donald Trump has limited granting citizenships and tightened immigration policies, including revoking birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and those with temporary visas.