Nakamura maintains #15. Kamsky breaks into the top 20 at #19!
Before we get too happy with ourselves, let us recognize that only 3 USA men are in the top 100 players on the FIDE rating list. China, India, Israel, Russia, and many of the former Soviet republics have more players on the list. There are only 2 USA women in the top 100 on the FIDE list. There are 0 USA juniors in the top 20. IM John Donaldson’s warning that it will be hard for the US to maintain its position or medal at future Olympiads is bolstered by these lists. As evidenced in a number of sports, the US is slowly slipping backward on the world scene.
Would you rain on a Veteran’s Day parade because we haven’t won our current war?
I’m glad the U.S. has any representation at all on the “world scene.” Donaldson’s comments are well taken and I’m glad he wrote them. I can’t fathom the uphill battle (culturally and motivationally) that U.S. chess has to ever be on the level of former Eastern Bloc and Third World countries.
Kamsky’s 21 point Elo increase in two months is notable. Nakamura gained 8 points just to maintain #15. I don’t cry for what we don’t have, and am thankful for what we do.
Don’t tell that to World Youth champions Daniel Naroditsky, Sam Shankland and just last weekend, Steven Zierk! Robert Hess, Ray Robson and Alex Lenderman are no slouches either. Even our top guy Hikaru Nakamura isn’t that old. (By the way, Hess is 7 rating points away from #20 on the junior list.)
While I don’t necessarily disagree with your opinion, I also want to point out that there’s a new generation of kids from Texas and Northern California whose future has yet to be written.
Michael Aigner
Both players will have crucial top level encounters: Nakamura is playing in the Tal Memorial & London Classic.
Unless either FIDE or Topalov change plans, Kamsky will be playing first alternate Grischuk in the Candidates round of eight. (Kamsky is capable of beating anyone in the world in a short match, but he is the only Candidate who doesn’t have reasonable assurance of his opponent’s identity.)