2026 – Hans Niemann

Hans Niemann finished in a large tie for second in the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship but will be hoping for more this year. Currently rated number 20 in the world at 2733 FIDE, Hans has had a relatively quiet 2025 having only played 16 games of Classical chess (played at a slow time control).

This will only be Hans’ fourth U.S. Championship despite his current high grading. This reflects his progress which has been markedly different from other young talents. Rated 2465 FIDE on his 17th birthday, Hans was considered a promising youngster, but nothing more. Fast forward two years and Hans was rated 200 points higher,with no sign of slowing down. By December of 2022 he had crossed 2700 FIDE, the traditional standard for admission into the world elite.

Hans firmly put himself on the map when he defeated top 50 rated players Anish Giri, Nikita Vitugov and Etienne Bacrot in matches during the summer of 2024. This quieted most remaining naysayers who doubted his abilities. He is now 18 rating points from being rated in the top ten players in the world. Will the 2025 U.S. Championship be Hans’ big breakthrough?