Hikaru Nakamura: Chess, Magnus, Kasparov, and the Psychology of Greatness | Lex Fridman Podcast

Hikaru Nakamura is a chess super grandmaster and is currently the #1 ranked blitz chess player in the world. He is also one of the top chess streamers on Twitch and KZbin. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
- Mizzen+Main: mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off
- InsideTracker: insidetracker.com/lex to get 20% off
- NetSuite: netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour
- SimpliSafe: simplisafe.com/lex
EPISODE LINKS:
Hikaru's Twitch: / gmhikaru
Hikaru's KZbin: / gmhikaru
Hikaru's Twitter: / gmhikaru
Hikaru's Instagram: / gmhikaru
Hikaru's Website: hikarunakamura.com
Macauley Peterson's video: • Nakamura Vs. Carlsen, ...
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
Full episodes playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast
Clips playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast Clips
OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:41 - A private game vs Magnus Carlsen
9:29 - Chess openings
25:42 - Mental preparation
34:22 - Chess tactics
44:45 - Solving chess
50:26 - Aggression and ego
55:11 - Hans Niemann cheating scandal
1:05:03 - How to cheat in chess
1:19:26 - Greatest chess player of all time
1:29:43 - Hikaru's immortal game
1:42:08 - Paul Morphy
1:43:52 - World Chess Championship
1:46:41 - Magnus Carlsen
1:50:16 - Sergey Karjakin
1:52:43 - Beauty of chess
1:59:38 - Day in the life
2:14:16 - Streaming
2:28:56 - Taking risks
2:34:25 - Depression
2:39:14 - Advice for young people
2:46:34 - Love
SOCIAL:
- Twitter: / lexfridman
- LinkedIn: / lexfridman
- Facebook: / lexfridman
- Instagram: / lexfridman
- Medium: / lexfridman
- Reddit: / lexfridman
- Support on Patreon: / lexfridman

[@lexfridman]

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - Mizzen+Main: mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off - InsideTracker: insidetracker.com/lex to get 20% off - NetSuite: netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour - SimpliSafe: simplisafe.com/lex 1:41 - A private game vs Magnus Carlsen 9:29 - Chess openings 25:42 - Mental preparation 34:22 - Chess tactics 44:45 - Solving chess 50:26 - Aggression and ego 55:11 - Hans Niemann cheating scandal 1:05:03 - How to cheat in chess 1:19:26 - Greatest chess player of all time 1:29:43 - Hikaru's immortal game 1:42:08 - Paul Morphy 1:43:52 - World Chess Championship 1:46:41 - Magnus Carlsen 1:50:16 - Sergey Karjakin 1:52:43 - Beauty of chess 1:59:38 - Day in the life 2:14:16 - Streaming 2:28:56 - Taking risks 2:34:25 - Depression 2:39:14 - Advice for young people 2:46:34 - Love

[@RocketGator05]

Please interview Scott Ritter for info on the situation in Ukraine 🙏

[@Shoresy-]

No time stamp called “I literally don’t care” ? My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined

[@Mehlmanmedical]

Lex, please get Benjamin Cowen on your podcast. He's huge on crypto and has done interviews with Michael Saylor. Many of us here would love that interview.

[@jpalioto1]

I feel confident speaking on behalf of the engine on why it plays moves like h4: “I win more when I do that.” Neural nets are super simple beasts. There is no deep wisdom. So glad you’ve plugged into chess as a topic. 😊

[@Metso-ateco]

You getting hanz nieman on???

[@GMHikaru]

It was a pleasure meeting you and thank you so much for taking the time to focus so much on chess in the past few months! I hope people can draw some inspiration or enjoyment from all of these amazing podcasts.

[@hellolol5388]

L + Ratio

[@BeatsByClover]

BONG CLOUD

[@hyperruliad]

❤

[@nightsyrkahcum]

thanks Hikaru!

[@Noblenote0]

eric hansen pumped you full of alberta oil 🥊🥊🥊

[@GothamChess]

We need a recap of that secret match

[@adityasuthar]

That's your job Levy. Do it please!!

[@videojournals4926]

Hehe heh. Gotham!

[@johnpavlidis2689]

I was here before this comment blew up!

[@gdawg3964]

hey man love your vids, recently got into chess because of you

[@TheMitchyevans]

Where could we watch a passionate breakdown of that?

[@NT-us7fp]

Hikaru is so open and transparent, there’s a braveness to this that makes me so impressed with him.

[@grassCrow]

Its not brave ... he just incessantly blabbers ... those are the things that can get you involved in a lawsuit

[@TravisLong95]

@@grassCrow you’re the only hater in this entire thread lmao. Give it up.

[@nNiceDreamsMadeTrue]

@@grassCrow one time is enough

[@mn8931]

@@grassCrow What a sad life you got, going around attacking someone who doesn’t know you and who doesn’t impact your life whatsoever. Miserable scum of a life you have, I feel sad for you

[@arnavrawat9864]

Not to be a hater, but i think his persona is very PR ready. He isn't genuine when it comes to the actual stuff. He didn't tell anything about the chessbrah drama did he? He didn't say i did a very bad thing, or that things went bad there were mistakes on both sides. I can give him some space because it's difficult to admit fault, but at the same time those things become your demons

[@slythespacecat]

Hikaru is joking around but i remember not long ago, in a Titled Tuesday Tournament, dude said "i'm tired and i don't want to calculate, ima just sac my queen" and won the game. I was flabbergasted LOL

[@peaceidk6497]

really daaaamn

[@sarcastaball]

Prove it

[@slythespacecat]

@@sarcastaball kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZjTq6ycn7mMfpI 7:33:00

[@user-pl9yq3fc8u]

@@sarcastaball ?

[@jeremykothe2847]

@@sarcastaball He's done that so many times... Watch his stream.

[@chess]

I'm absolutely loving all the love for chess, Lex! 💚

[@hellolol5388]

Release the cheater list

[@parthk5513]

Oh boy you will love this podcast.

[@walterwhite5689]

Unban Hans,or else Albequrque will see the blue stuff again.

[@stayclashy3433]

👍

[@ttopiass]

wow the Chess devs

[@wolframlessau8724]

My dude, I never really was a podcast kinda guy, but since I found yours recently i can't stop listening to episode after episode... thank you so much for doing this!

[@ngomusoqwabe4684]

Pods are crazy. Had the addiction for 2 yrs

[@wedontexist369]

Check out Joe Rogan’s podcast for a lot more entertaining conversations - Lex is my go-too for intellectual stimulation haha.

[@tguthrie6]

@@wedontexist369 his old ones were the shit. nowdays its ok.. i still listen to them though haha

[@ollybears7797]

@@wedontexist369 rogan fell off the deep end since 2020

[@klin431]

This is a gem of an interview. Enjoyed every minute of it.

[@Talon167]

Magnus, the Botez sisters, Gotham, and now Hikaru! This is great... love the chess coverage, man.

[@raylopez99]

So do I.

[@mostinho7]

I thought this was Asian Jim

[@amigosXcorrespondenc]

Would love to have Eric Hansen here too :)

[@cavejohnson4054]

Now do Hans Niemann, GOAT

[@aaahtex902]

Magnus, Hikaru & the Botez sisters!

[@lamine991]

You may not get as many views in these podcasts but the fact you are promoting the chess community will always be appreciated by those who truly care ...thank you lex

[@ItIsYouAreNotYour]

So like 11 people?

[@ehlava]

I dont even play chess and I have watched them all

[@freeWizard]

wth? I think these will get more views, lol

[@KancerKowboy]

Yeah these will age well over the years. Had he done these about a year ago they probably go viral back then. It was nuts during that boom after Queen's Gambit.

[@yessir4878]

Magnus, Gotham, and now Hikaru. The past month or so has been a treat

[@vivekkaushik9508]

All started with botez sisters.

[@BarrettKillz]

It sucked if you’re not into board games like me.

[@GrantValdes]

Feels unreal. I just started playing.

[@CrimsonKingl2]

@@BarrettKillz It's not just about a "board game" it's about game theory, strategy and rational thinking.

[@davidchandra8722]

Agadmator next

[@prasannasurange]

Hikaru made me follow chess during the pandemic. A great communicator

[@Crazeyfor67]

Lex asked the best questions possible to make this a fantastic interview. And HN answered each question candidly and gave insight into the chess mind.

[@sucersdungeon]

You can really notice how much more fluently Hikaru expresses his thoughts when he is in an active conversation instead of multitasking chess playing, chat reading and talking by himself during the streams. A brilliant man!

[@YSFmemories]

you you you you can chat, yes chat, yes, you can really, you can really notice, you can really notice chat, how much more fluently chat, yes chat, much more fluently chat, Hikaru expresses his thoughts chat

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

...while playing troll openings like the Bong Cloud against IM's and still winning. 😁

[@YogSoth]

He is a brilliant chess player, and he is better at chess than I will ever be at anything in my life- so nothing but props and respect to him. But I think one of the things fascinating about Hikaru is that he isn’t a genius. He comes across as just a normal dude. He’s not particularly articulate, and doesn’t seem to be very insightful overall. He is easily the most relatable super GM I’ve heard.

[@chrisk1180]

@@YogSoth man is clearly a genius if you watch him play

[@skitzcunt4213]

@Yodel Odelstein... bruh he was a master player by age 10... of course he is a genius he was a child prodigy...

[@samvargas2868]

My respect for Hikaru increased 100x after this interview. He gives a really balanced and humble perspective on a lot of these questions. Awesome conversation.

[@sk-sm9sh]

Extremely well articulated as well.

[@tguthrie6]

He seems like a cool guy to hang out and chat with.

[@dcQ23]

The king of fair and balanced awesome sauce.

[@trevorkuhfuss3968]

It seems I'm a little late to the party, but I was driving last night listening to this conversation and I heard Hikaru mention something that I deeply resonated with. I don't remember the exact wording or timestamp, but he said something to the effect of the rewarding feeling to have all these cultural, generational, and backstory differences, but at the same time be on equal footing when it comes to the love of chess. I am in a very similar boat when it comes to my passion of choice, cornhole(bag toss, whatever your region calls it). I am a professional cornhole athlete with the American Cornhole League, but that is besides the point. At the highest level of the game, there are 256 people that get to have the title of Professional, with another 64 or so that are in the Pro Development Cup. While there is a pronounced racial skew, not bias, within this small population, it is amazing to see the different walks of life that everyone comes from. From college students like myself, up to cheese factory workers in their 50's to 70's, and all the way down to 12 and 13 year old phenoms who can outplay anyone, but still haven't even hit the point of working a standard job. Passion and love are wonderful things. They bring wisdom for us all to share with one another, and bring everyone closer day by day. Wonderful conversation. I'll be sure to catch more of them in the future.

[@elcapitan549]

One thing has always been apparent, Hikaru is a supremely sensitive human being. What a kind hearted genius of a man. Amazing interview Lex. Truly.

[@andrewr8144]

I love Hikaru, because not many top in the world, (even all time) share so willingly their thought process and their strategy. He is a people's champion.

[@grassCrow]

I've seen his stream ... he seems to me to be an incessant blabber ...

[@andrewr8144]

@@grassCrow Most people watch to learn what he's thinking when he's playing and to here new. So, yeah, he talks a lot.

[@antmanmax1]

@@grassCrow new to Twitch, eh?

[@grandmarquee]

I like Ana and Levy too.

[@Eru0910]

@@antmanmax1 ?

[@bobbobson2291]

Lex has embarked on this journey because he wants to beat hard mode on his chess app

[@tomgriffiths6558]

Nelson got stomped after this series of pods 💯

[@vignesh6654]

Bead it if you can't beat it

[@chriskallenberger1258]

Lex wants to play genius chess cause he a Russian...me hit a world class slider cause I'm a yank. It's in your bones. Magnus is a freaking monster. Love Lex!

[@anthonymoses3697]

@Bob Bobson LMAO

[@syoudipta]

Is that like the AI has two kings or something?

[@Mr.Redacto]

What makes Hikaru so interesting is his ability to be so articulate, honest, and objective of himself and the others around him. His ability to do that is better than almost everyone else I have seen.

[@yogi30303]

Yup, nicely said.

[@DRINOMAN]

best from the chess world most def. I agree with you

[@freeEnd_]

Hikaru for the president!

[@batscientist150]

You nailed it!

[@invisobill2125]

It’s easy for him to be frank and honest because the only person better than him is Magnus which is an easy pill for everyone to accept at this point 😂

[@LittleLouieLagazza]

THANK YOU FOR THIS!! He's so engaging, good-humoured and kind; well on his way to becoming the greatest living "chess ambassador" of our generation. This interview is a treat!

[@Day24.]

Lp

[@mykolaskucinskas9473]

Hikaru is a great person to have conversation with. He speaks quickly and provides interesting info and insights. Great episode.

[@jonathanbush6197]

And he didn't interrupt Lex, which Garry Kasparov would do in interviews.

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

@@jonathanbush6197 Kasparov is rather excitable. 😆

[@dovke5305]

Tiesa

[@motamot6182]

So nice to see Hikaru here, he is really well spoken

[@grassCrow]

An incessant blabber mouth that is well spoken. LOL

[@badcornflakes6374]

@@grassCrow You ended your comment with "LOL". Your comment is now considered irrelevant.

[@freeEnd_]

​@@badcornflakes6374why did you bury him alive?

[@BlackHoleRabbiit]

This conversation has made me realize a small part of why I enjoy Hikaru in this age of chess. He is the top dog in blitz and with chess evolving with AI blitz keeps it the most "human" as possible with its demand for quick response and planning.

[@JayzsMr]

I agree , I think the only way to keep chess human and exiting is in shorter time formats

[@greggoryrice7046]

Cool dude. Down to earth, funny, brilliant, and still very competitive. Who wouldn't want to go out and have a beer with. His biography is fascinating. Amazing interview, and count me as a fan.

[@ParkersPensees]

Unreal Lex. We've got jobs, bro. You can't keep putting out such good content, we have stuff to do 😅

[@iam1smiley1]

Listen while you work on your house 🎶

[@brianjanson3498]

LOL. Too true. But I have to make time. This is far better than Netflix.

[@ex0duzz]

Get a job where you can listen to podcast with one headphone. It's what I do while working, it's great for certain monotonous tasks that don't require intense concentration or focus

[@ycmat7537]

Faaaxxxxxxxx😂

[@amurnotgood3112]

These guests are amazing. Thank you for doing what you do, Lex. Much love 💕

[@alexbrk1157]

As an immense chess passionate and huge admirer of GM Nakamura, this interview and all the informations it contains is pure gold to me. Thank you so much.

[@CandiceJoergan]

I've followed the career of Hikaru Nakamura since he first he first came on the scene. I remember when he all but disappeared, I suppose when he was in college, and remember being thrilled when he returned. It's almost impossible to believe he is now in his mid thirties, but I'm grateful for all the years of great chess and entertainment he's provided. Thank you Hikaru.

[@skitzcunt4213]

me too i used to watch him play on icc under the handle "smallville"... good times

[@tomkavulic7178]

I love how Lex got a free lesson in the najdorf from Hikaru. That's super special, he's lucky.

[@jordansullivan232]

We all got a free lesson hehe

[@SerLaama]

He didn't? Naka said some very widely known and basic things about the Najdorf...

[@festiml.2561]

1:27:45 "I just don't blunder. I just dont blunder at the end of the day" ~ Hikaru Love the way he said that lmao

[@gabrielnunes7407]

Of all the chess episodes here, this is by far my favorite.

[@lix2146]

Hikaru is such a great guest as well! (calm, collected, attentive, passionate)

[@destroyermaker]

Hikaru has streamed so much he talks like a streamer in normal conversation.

[@10splay]

Or the other way around

[@Jeffrey_Tyler]

What does that even mean?

[@10splay]

He talks casual and normal in stream because he’s such a natural

[@DrDeuteron]

remember, he reaches for the mouse OTB

[@Adi-qj6ci]

concerning how many likes your non sensical comment got

[@MyKingBee1]

I’m really glad that lex was so caught up to the memes, makes the whole podcast more enjoyable

[@r.p.larose6844]

"It's 50/50 between blitz, rapid, and classic chess" -Hikaru Genius

[@malonsosanchez]

Lex, you are getting good at asking hard questions. Thank you for the effort you put into improving that part of you.

[@nannue]

2022 is a golden age for chess podcast. Love it.

[@freeWizard]

The one and only Chess personality I was wishing to see on your Podcast !! Thanks Lex for inviting Hikaru, such an insightful conversation. Really loved it!

[@garymelnyk7910]

Chucky would be great too. He famously beat Kasparov at Linares in a brilliant game.

[@Welderborea]

Hikaru is so well spoken, I don’t watch him as much as I watch other chess commentators but he is absolutely amazing to listen to.

[@Jilly74]

Big ups to Hikaru, Levy and Magnus for making it on this podcast, and Lex for bringing them on; allowing us to get an insight into the minds of these amazing players 💯💯 Definitely looking foward to more. Churr from NZ 🇳🇿

[@Trentvucich]

Big ups from NZ!!

[@Jilly74]

Aeee Chur Brada!! 🤙🏾🙌🏾🔥🔥

[@domminney]

And the botez sisters. People seem to ignore their appearance.

[@Jilly74]

How embarrassing, I even watched that podcast aswell and forgot 🤦🏿‍♂️ I think it's because I primarily watch Hikaru, Levy and Magnus on a daily basis as apposed to the Botez sisters, but thanks for reminding me brother 💯💯

[@anthonymoses3697]

Please don't forget the Botez sisters

[@sankhawkulathantille]

11:32 Hikaru pre-moving the reply to "can you teach me?"😂😂

[@blarvo7467]

Premoved the Npc dialogue 😂

[@legolasgreenleaf702]

Not sure why, but this is one of the most enjoyable interviews I've watched.

[@NoahS4226]

Fantastic interview: great questions and great chemistry. I love how open and articulate Hikaru is

[@rohan_elysium]

Great Great guest Lex. The podcast is ageing like fine wine.

[@Ragemeister88]

Two of my worlds COLLIDING & culminating in such a fantastic podcast! A real journey of self discovery, self awareness while having this extraordinary talent. Bravo Hikaru & bravo Lex! 🙏🏾☀️🥳🎉💫🌍

[@GKneeIssYT]

The best question we can all ask ourselves in order to improve at anything is "Why am I not doing well at X?". This particular character trait is a goldmine. Much respect Hikaru!

[@GoldAMG]

29:57 Next minute exchange was hilarious. 'I imagine you in a dark room drinking and playing video games' had me bust a gut.

[@gregorymorse8423]

the chess podcasts have been fantastic, great to see Hikaru on!

[@WillOnYT]

These podcasts have inspired me to try and go for 1000 ELO before the end of the year

[@ghostproxy11]

Don't stop there

[@pandabearguy1]

My goal is 5000 blitz rating

[@AdventureSam]

1000 elo is eassyyy lad you can do it no problem.

[@Zevven]

1000 elo is a starting point, no? Just learn 2 popular openings well and start with long games and puzzles, then switch to 10 min and you'll do good

[@Zevven]

@@pandabearguy1 well, no one did it before + you barely gain rating after reaching 3000 so...

[@davidhale8034]

This is absolutely magnificent 👏👏👏 I've followed Hikaru on many occasions, and yet this is still a tremendous interview.

[@risaalshaan]

I literally have checked your channel everyday for like 2 weeks for this

[@akasmokey9908]

Hikaru is one of the most intelligent and impressive individuals I've ever seen! His memory is next level! Imagine if Rain Man was extremely talkative, coherent and had a personality. That's Hikaru!

[@robdubent]

He’s good at chess. Sure, he’s intelligent in that sense. That’s about it.

[@ghostproxy11]

@@robdubent no. he's gooder than good

[@colorsofsound4782]

@@robdubent I think the comment was talking about memory if I'm not wrong?

[@amosjohansen1]

Why dont you go marry him then? Boom, roasted😶

[@bluecloud6437]

lmfao

[@Zddah]

Thanks for your content, and thanks to Hikaru always wanted a long interview with him !

[@dadondiego8814]

Halfway through this episode, but wow! The amount of inspiration and motivation I'm collecting off of him. Truly a humble genius, the people's champion. I wish to be like such a man, Hikaru Nakamura. So smart and lovable. 👏🏽

[@amitjosh79]

Didn’t know Hikaru is a history buff. Great content guys

[@lauregleasure2140]

Thank you for this podcast. I love how you interview people. I am not even a big chess fan and I listened to it all. And your other chess related episodes made me want to watch the Queens Gambit .

[@topsy8701]

Dude I'm loving the chess rounds you're making

[@seandoc-chesschamp]

Keep the chess content coming, Lex. Really enjoying this.

[@D_Chess]

Great interview. In regards to changing the WC game format: I think that race to 8 with G/90 or even G/60 time control would result in much more dynamic top tier Chess. G/60 has always been my favorite tourney time control. But that is just my opinion.

[@kurtilein3]

My idea would be to turn it around, i mean, the sequence of things. You play classical, when its a draw you play rapid, when its a draw you play blitz, when its a draw you play armageddon. That sucks. Just imagine reversing it. Armageddon first, then blitz which might make the armageddon result meaningless unless the blitz portion its drawn. Then you play rapid, which unless its drawn makes the armageddon and blitz results meaningless. Now the tiebreaks are done, and these have been fun, as each player had options to turn everything around. Now you go into the classical games, where one player can play for an outright win with the knowledge that an over all draw of the classical portion will be good enough. And the other player knows he has to win it outright, because he already lost the tiebreaks so a draw will be no good. As the tiebreaks are done and past, and you go into the classical section with pressure from game 1, it will feel much more like only the classical games make the outcome. The final deciding game will be a classical one. Does that make sense? Two issues with race to 8: If both players go from 7.5 to 8 with a draw, you still need tiebreaks. If the player to first reach 8 had one more game with white, that is just not fair, the other player needs another game with white so both have the same number of games with white. So again both players can reach 8, and you need tiebreaks. And again, playing the tiebreaks first can help with the painful feeling that rapid and blitz decided everything.

[@soflynn22]

loving Lex's chess phase! another great interview!

[@TooChillery]

Very good podcast. I’m high school I played a lot of chess but I never knew any chess players and I never looked up different strategies or anything like that. Years later I am not a huge chess enthusiast and am very involved with the community and a large part of that is because of Hikaru. And I love how appreciative he is. Chess is a wonderful game and I hope it continues to go up. It is very exciting and inspiring.

[@joaovitordemelo8209]

What an excellent talk! Love Hikaru! He's super humble and inspiring!

[@KvS1248]

You really bring out the best with these guests Lex. Very nice that you didn’t just ask about chess but you even went towards philosophy and even a bit of spirituality might I say with Hikaru. Very nice to hear and know that side of him

[@shariq93]

These chess interviews are fantastic! Kudos to you Lex for taking on a series of interviews where you are by no means close to an expert on.

[@maxshouman4705]

Regardless of the fact that Hikaru is one of the greatest to ever play the game, what makes him stand out to me is that he genuinely inspires others to take up chess. He did for me (he's def my favourite) and I'm sure he did with a lot of others. Thanks Lex for inviting him and for bringing more attention to chess recently

[@kevinmcdonaghscotland]

It is facinating to hear which fundamentals are playing out in Hikaru's mind when he is in the zone. Although there are very few who could truly experience the same intuition perhaps just this aspiration can affect our play!.

[@Speydork666]

Hikaru Nakamura is an awesome person. Great video !

[@B21_raider]

He’s toxic af

[@SolarJakee]

What a pair of absolute legends these two are

[@CosmonautQuckie]

One interviews legends. Lex is no legend.

[@BeatsByClover]

@@CosmonautQuckie Clown

[@zero-ui1ew]

@@CosmonautQuckie he has 2 million subs.2 million more than your mom

[@SolarJakee]

@@CosmonautQuckie let it be known that I disliked this comment

[@hoola_amigos]

@@CosmonautQuckie I agree with u no cap.

[@errans_luxx]

This is an awesome niche that Lex is carving out. Loving these episodes.

[@hume1234561]

I absolutely love this interview. Hikaru is so articulate and thoughtful in his responses that the time flew by and it has left me wanting to hear more.

[@MSMNBC]

Like a Kardashian?

[@suburiboy]

Lex. These chess discussions remind me a lot of Fighting videogames, like Street Fighter. It’s a pure psychological game. A lot of interactions are about forcing your opponent into unfavorable guessing games, or how to minimize personal risk while conditioning your opponent into risky habits. Also, I think it is amazing that videogame designers/programmers (smart people) have not yet figured out how to make a computer fight in a way that replicates humans. Bots can be better than humans, but only because they cheat. Someone like Justin Wong or Sajam would be a great guest.

[@Gooobae]

1:07:07 - There’s a great video by Mike Boyd where he actually made the device in question that Hans supposedly used, same toy and everything lol, it has a small computer or arduino inside which vibrated according to the best chess move to play. It did not make a sound when closed up so no one could hear it. He didn’t put it where the sun don’t shine in the video, which I assume would be very difficult to find when entering a tournament setting anyway, but after putting it together and gluing the toy back up so it was just rubber on the outside, a metal detector (which again I assume they use at tournament’s) could not detect it in his hand passing right over it. He put it in his pocket, which of course is obvious, and again the metal detector did not pick it up. He ended up taping it to his lower leg/ankle, and then played a high rated chess player, one without the device in which he lost of course, but then one using the device, and he was being complimented on his moves and eventually won the game. The other player suspected something was fishy because of the first game they played, but he has absolutely no idea how or what he was doing to be able to pull it off. So I can easily imagine a situation in a tournament setting where you are high enough ranked where it would not draw suspicion to you, could easily pass through the metal detectors and pull something like this off.

[@jepulis6674]

Magnus stopped playing WC after that device became public. Thats the big scandal.

[@esteracyl9007]

@@jepulis6674 lol keep dreaming. You can clearly see that he doesn't need it and won't need it. Being ahead of everyone else in all time formats is more than enough to win you a lot. Plus, Magnus doesn't need to prove anything.

[@esteracyl9007]

@@huxa7624 your comment is highly inappropriate. Besides, there's no point in using profanity when conversing.

[@huxa7624]

@@esteracyl9007 🤦‍♂️

[@Igor_lvanov]

I love Hikaru because he is a genuinely good and open person and I just feel good when I see him

[@inemanja]

People are saying he's toxic. He even admitted that he was toxic while being younger. I know - people do change, but some things are very hard to get rid off

[@Igor_lvanov]

@@inemanja Maybe my impression is completelyg or partially wrong, and maybe I didn't research topic of Hikaru's toxicity enough. I am also a clinical psychologist and I see one thing in Hikaru which might lead to toxicity, but still, this is my impression

[@inemanja]

@@Igor_lvanov Don't get me wrong I like to listen to his interview (he's very good at giving interviews), but I'm not sure about how good is he as a person...

[@grassCrow]

LOL ... he is a good person because his incessant blabbering makes you feel good?

[@mn8931]

@@grassCrow you have on sad miserable life to go attack someone in every thread.

[@monpads2830]

definitely love the questions and answers from both. very inspiring.

[@JohnSmith-zs1bf]

This guy is so mature an nuanced and down to earth and understanding. Great character.

[@eminence_]

How delusional are you? He attacked other chess streamers to keep himself as no1. He is universally hated.

[@JohnSmith-zs1bf]

@@eminence_ can't be "universally" hated since he has quite a large following. i form my opinions about people based on my own observations, not what other people feel. i don't know why you have to imply that i'm delusional just because you disagree with me.

[@jeffhearn3658]

You're on a hell of a role Lex - love it!

[@Flashyfinancier]

*roll

[@darwin94]

*rolex

[@yipperdeyip]

Roly poly*

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

The _role_ of a lifetime!

[@Flashyfinancier]

@@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836 like a roll model

[@elninoo0]

Great interview as always Lex. Regarding ”Don't try" from Charles Buckowski tomb I think it relates to his poem "Go all the way” kinda in the opposite direction of "don't care too much". Kinda like Yoda: "Do or do not, there is no try".

[@jgraham1426]

The precise and assaying questions by Fridman. The clever and resourceful responses by Nakamura. Wonderful intellectual play.

[@micheldekker1558]

Great interview ! Congratulations to you two !

[@gonzalosaizgonzalo9117]

Thanks a million lex. I follow you for a while and I really love chess and you have brought a lot of people. Really appreciate it.

[@thenewstyle8704]

Just finished the Magnus and Levy interviews. Great timing on this one!

[@noiseforthealgorithm4668]

“Are you a data scientist?” (smile at the camera).. lmao

[@KancerKowboy]

Well done yet again. Nice to get to know Hikaru better. I stumbled upon him during the latest chess boom myself.

[@billpapadopoulos7912]

Was waiting on the edge of my seat for the Hikaru podcast! I knew this was coming!!! Great content.

[@XtremeSteelGaming]

The chess talk series :D Loving it

[@JamesConley1234]

Lex I have so much respect for you interviewing my favorite chess players,Hikaru and Levy, whom I started following about a year ago. I loved you before but wow do I love you now Lex. Keep it up brother

[@Aarron-io3pm]

Absolutely loving this, Lex you deliver everytime, asking amazing questions and Hikaru is a fantastic guest. Amazing insight, please keep it up! Seriously I live for these podcasts

[@blantant]

This was great. Hikaru is a legend. Respect

[@benr3799]

6:22 is such a great question and response. Trying to be cheeky around Magnus is like trying to salsa dance with a grizzly bear

[@WithScienceAsMySheperd]

@33:00 to get better at a game... this was life goals forever for me since 1987. Videogames helped forge the algorythmic pattern creation in my mind, you learn a lot too from programming and studying and to compose algorythms with chess abilities improving in scale with those other related skills

[@Watersrundeep]

Hikaru is so well spoken and honest. He is inspirational and a role model ❤

[@samus282]

Detective Lex, casually investigating the Niemann case Feel like the Chess interviews should be in black and white with some slow jazz playing in the background

[@alexandreandrianov5970]

Hikaru presents ideas in a very clear and fast way. He would be great at Blitz.

[@whatever_it_takes6691]

He's really good at Fischer Random as well

[@dvoulio]

8:12 LEX: "Are you able to appreciate the epic-ness of this ?" referring to the legendary hotel-room 40-game sequence Hikaru played with Magnus. The question itself is epic, for it represents such a careful and admiring prod into the thought processes of Hikaru that it cannot but bring out the absolute best from him. And both rise to the occasion. That's the mark of a great interviewer...! Lex... your interviews are beyond merely informative and entertaining... they are truly inspirational amd lay bare for us the very best of your guests. Thank you

[@Hawaii_NoKaOi]

Thanks for this podcast!

[@v-0448]

Im loving all the chess content recently!

[@therealfocusin]

From the artificial intelligence podcast to the chess podcast, I like it! You should invite Agadmator and his dog next.

[@noname-dt6sv]

split it up into 2 episodes. first agadmator, then his dog

[@bhough410]

What is it with people and his dog?

[@dailyfunnytv358]

please don't. agadmator is a shit person and not relevant in competitive chess at all anyways

[@jordansullivan232]

Yes! been hoping to see him on here for a while!!

[@bernardobila4336]

Medo would be a great guest

[@AIRFGC]

inspiring conversation on either side, much appreciated

[@dimitrikorsakov2570]

Love the chess interviews recently. I hope you interview Fabiano, as well.