World number-two GM Hikaru Nakamura and his wife, WGM Atousa Pourkashiyan, announced today that they are expecting their first child.
The news was shared during Nakamura’s Saturday stream on Kick, where the five-time U.S. champion appeared alongside Pourkashiyan. “It’s announcement time,” Nakamura said, smilingly. “We are, of course, expecting a baby!” he said, adding “Mini Hikarus, yes!” in reponse to messages from his chat.
We are, of course, expecting a baby!
—Hikaru Nakamura
I’m very, very happy to make this announcement. https://t.co/AP6NCDXgqL
— Hikaru Nakamura (@GMHikaru) July 12, 2025
The announcement marks a joyful milestone for the couple, who tied the knot in 2023, after the two had frequently been seen together at events such as the 2022 FIDE Candidates Tournament in Madrid.
Pourkashiyan, a seven-time Iranian Women’s and 2019 Asian Women’s chess champion, transferred to the U.S. Chess Federation in 2022 after emigrating from Iran. She has been competing actively at a high level, as evidenced by her win at the 2024 American Women’s Continental Championship, which qualified her for the ongoing 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup.
Although she ultimately withdrew from the event, she confirmed her place among the top-10 highest-ranked female players in the United States. She is currently ninth with 2291, with a peak of 2374 from May 2011.
Nakamura, 37, has been among the world’s top grandmasters for more than a decade and is currently ranked number two in the world rankings. Known for his prowess in online speed chess, he recently set a new all-time high in blitz with 3408, breaking his own record.
While he has hinted at retirement several times in the last year, Nakamura remains a formidable force in classical chess. With his 2807 rating, he is currently the favourite to qualify for the next Candidates Tournament through the rating path, which could give him a last shot at challenging for the world championship title.
Beyond the board, Nakamura has played a key role in the chess boom of recent years, thanks to his hugely popular content on streaming platforms Twitch and Kick, and YouTube, which has helped bring the game to a broader audience.
Nakamura’s announcement comes just months after GM Magnus Carlsen and his wife Ella Victoria revealed that they too are expecting their first child this year, marking a rare moment of shared celebrations among the top two players in the world.
The soon-to-be father will next be in action at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas, which takes place July 16-20.
