Niemann criticizes lack of 'structural support' for chess in USA, compares it to India model: 'American chess will fade'

Hans Niemann has spoken about the need to protect chess in the United States, comparing it to India, where the sport receives financial support from the government and corporate sponsors. The 21-year-old American grandmaster, who was previously in the spotlight for his controversial cheating scandal involving Magnus Carlsen, stated that the lack of structural support for chess players in the US is a key difference compared to India, besides Viswanathan Anand’s guidance.

“The rise of Indian chess talents is largely due to structural support. Anand mentors all of the top players, large companies and the government support them financially,” Niemann said on X.

Niemann says chess in USA needs India-type support

The American chess player added that due to lack of financial assistance most chess players are opting to priortise studies, forcing US to rely on “mercenaries” from other countries. He warned that if things don’t change, then American chess will “fade into obscurity.”

“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. If things continue this way, American chess will fade into obscurity.”

The USA has five players in the world’s top 15, including Hikaru Nakamura (World No. 2), Fabiano Caruana (World No. 4), Wesley So (World No. 12), Levon Aronian (World No. 13) and Leinier Domínguez Pérez (World No. 15). However, except for Caruana, all four were born outside the USA, and apart from Nakamura, all have represented other countries in chess before switching to the United States.

Meanwhile, Indian chess has witnessed a stupendous rise in the last one year, with the men’s and women’s team winning the gold medals at the 45th Olympiad for the first time in 2024 and D Gukesh becoming the youngest-ever world champion.

Currently, India has three players in the world’s top 10 rankings. Besides Gukesh, who is ranked third, Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa are fifth and eighth respectively.