Hans Niemann questions Hikaru Nakamura using headphones during prize money tournaments: 'Clear competitive advantage'

Hans Niemann has questioned world No.2 chess Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura wearing headphones during online prize money tournaments. One of the most popular chess streamers in the world, America’s Nakamura, has close to five million followers across YouTube and Twitch.

Nakamura consistently streams or shares videos of his matches and commentary from online tournaments on YouTube and Twitch. In most of the videos, Nakamura is seen using headphones and microphones.

Niemann questions Nakamura’s headphones

However, this hasn’t gone down well with American Grandmaster Hans Niemann, who has been at odds with Nakamura for some time. He questioned on the social media platform X as to why Nakamura is allowed to wear headphones during the prize money tournaments, as it gives him a competitive advantage. He also questioned the double standards by the “chess mafia”.

“Why is Hikaru allowed to wear HEADPHONES during prize money tournaments while others aren’t. Clear competetive advantage and double standard for the chess mafia’s brand ambassadors,” Niemann said on X.

Why is Hikaru allowed to wear HEADPHONES during prize money tournaments while others aren't. Clear competetive advantage and double standard for the chess mafia's brand ambassadors.

— Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) May 2, 2025

In another post, he wrote: “In any real sport, giving a competitive edge to someone you’re financially invested in would spark a scandal. In chess, it’s business as usual. Silence reigns when power is centralized and accountability is absent. Monopolies don’t last forever, alternatives always appear.”

In any real sport, giving a competitive edge to someone you’re financially invested in would spark a scandal. In chess, it’s business as usual. Silence reigns when power is centralized and accountability is absent. Monopolies don't last forever, alternatives always appear.

— Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) May 2, 2025

While Niemann did not mention the tournament he was talking about, it’s quite possible he was pointing towards the Freestyle Friday, which was won by Germany’s Vincent Keymer on 2 May. Freestyle Friday is a weekly prize fund of $1,000. Format-wise wise it is an 11-round Swiss with a 3+1 time control. Matches are played in the Freestyle (Chess960) variant.

In the latest Freestyle Friday, Hans Niemann came second with a score of 8.5/11 while Nakamura was 12th (8). Only the top four players earn prize money.

Niemann has also often referred to Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura and Chess.com as ‘Chess mafia’ since he was accused of cheating by the three parties in 2022.