Hikaru Nakamura is a chess grandmaster who is married to Atousa Pourkashiyan, a woman grandmaster. The title of woman chess grandmaster was given to Atousa Pourkashiyan in 2009 by FIDE. Hikaru and Atousa are a power couple in the world of chess. They have won various chess championships around the world. Hikaru and Atousa are probably the most popular chess couple. This article covers everything about the Hikaru Nakamura wife in detail.
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Hikaru Nakamura Wife- Atousa Pourkashiyan
Hikaru Nakamura’s wife Atousa Pourkashiyan, born on May 16, 1988, is an Iranian-American chess player. FIDE awarded her the title of Woman Grandmaster in 2009. She has won the Iranian women’s championship seven times (in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2014), holding a record among Iranian women chess players.
Atousa Pourkashiyan made headlines when she competed alongside Sarasadat Khademalsharieh at the 2022 World Rapid and Blitz Championship without wearing a hijab amid the Mahsa Amini protests. Later in December 2022, she transferred her federation from Iran to the United States, where she currently lives. In 2023, she married Hikaru Nakamura, an American grandmaster and five-time US Champion.
Atousa Pourkashiyan Personal Information & Career
| Country | Iran (until 2022) United States (since 2022) |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 May 1988 (age 35) Tehran, Iran |
| Husband | Hikaru Nakamura (m.2023) |
| Title | Woman Grandmaster (2009) |
| FIDE rating | 2259 (December 2023) |
| Peak rating | 2374 (May 2011) |
Born in Tehran, Atousa Pourkashiyan, the wife of Hikaru Nakamura claimed victory at the 2000 World Youth Chess Championship in the Girls U12 category. In April 2010, she secured the title at the Asian Women’s Chess Championship held in Subic Bay. Throughout her career, she participated in the Women’s World Chess Championship in 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2017.
Pourkashiyan represented Iran in eight Women’s Chess Olympiads (from 2000 to 2014), the Women’s Asian Team Chess Championship, and the World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad. Notably, in 2023, she earned an individual silver medal on Board 5 in the FIDE Women’s Team Championship, contributing to Team USA’s advancement to the semifinals.
Hikaru Nakamura Personal Life & Internet Activity
Hikaru Nakamura was born on December 9, 1987, in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. His mother, Carolyn Merrow Nakamura, is an American classically trained musician and former public school teacher, while his father, Shuichi Nakamura, is Japanese. Nakamura has an older brother named Asuka. At the age of two, his family relocated to the United States, settling in White Plains, New York, following their divorce a year later in 1990.
Nakamura began playing chess at seven under the guidance of his Sri Lankan stepfather, FIDE Master Sunil Weeramantry, a chess author. Weeramantry started coaching the Nakamura brothers after Asuka won the National Kindergarten Championship in 1992. At ten, Hikaru became the youngest American to defeat an International Master by defeating Jay Bonin at the Marshall Chess Club. He also achieved the title of chess master from the United States Chess Federation at the same age, breaking the previous record held by Vinay Bhat. In 1999, Nakamura won the Laura Aspis Prize for being the top USCF-rated player under 13. By 2003, at the age of 15 years and 79 days, Nakamura became the youngest American to attain the grandmaster title, surpassing Bobby Fischer’s record by three months.
Nakamura, known online as “Capilanobridge” on the Internet Chess Club (ICC) and formerly as “Smallville,” as well as “Star Wars” on Playchess, has been an influential figure in the online chess community. He has served as a commentator and game annotator on the ChessNinja website operated by chess author Mig Greengard. Sponsored by Chess.com, Nakamura began streaming on Twitch in 2018 under the name “GMHikaru.” He engages in speed chess games against grandmasters, other streamers, and subscribers, often playing blindfolded or with handicaps like a queen’s odds.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Nakamura’s Twitch channel experienced a significant surge in popularity, with his engaging style and high-level gameplay attracting a larger audience. In August 2020, he joined esports organization Team SoloMid (TSM), becoming one of the first chess players to sign with an esports team. In June 2022, Nakamura joined Misfits Gaming as a content creator and influencer.
Operating a Discord server called “Naka’s PogUniversity” and active on Twitter, Nakamura also runs a YouTube channel, which saw a substantial increase in subscribers, reaching approximately 2.2 million by December 2023. He is known for his ability to play high-level chess while interacting with viewers, combining teacherly wisdom with expressive gameplay.
Nakamura has coached beginner chess players on his Twitch platform, including streamer xQc, and participated in tournaments like PogChamps, providing commentary and coaching. On February 14, 2021, he reached one million followers on Twitch. However, during the FIDE Grand Prix in March 2022, Twitch suspended Nakamura for three days (later reduced to two) after he streamed and commented on chess games played by Dr Disrespect, who is permanently banned from the platform.
On March 29, 2023, Nakamura announced a non-exclusive streaming deal with the emerging platform Kick.
Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Girlfriend- All You Need To Know About Maria
Hikaru Nakamura Wife FAQs
1- Who is the wife of Hikaru Nakamura?
Atousa Pourkashiyan, a woman chess grandmaster is the wife of Hikaru Nakamura.
2- When did Hikaru Nakamura married Atousa Pourkashiyan?
They married in 2023.
3- For how long did Hikaru Nakamura and Atousa Pourkashiyan dated before getting married?
They dated each other for a year before getting married.
4- What is the age of Hikaru Nakamura wife?
Atousa Pourkashiyan is 35 years old.
5- Does Hikaru Nakamura wife, Atousa Pourkashiyan have siblings?
There is no information regarding her siblings.
6- Who are the parents of Atousa Pourkashiyan?
Mr and Mrs Pourkashiyan are the parents of Pourkashiyan.
7- Does Hikaru Nakamura and Atousa Pourkashiyan have kids?
No, Hikaru Nakamura and his wife Atousa Pourkashiyan does not have any kids.
