Hikaru Nakamura

Birth Name: Christopher Hikaru Nakamura

Place of Birth: Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Date of Birth: December 9, 1987

Ethnicity:
*father – Japanese
*mother – German, Swedish, English, Scottish, Welsh

Hikaru Nakamura (中村 光) is a Japanese-American professional chess grandmaster, streamer, and YouTuber. He is a chess prodigy, a five-time U.S. Chess Champion, and the reigning World Fischer Random Chess Champion. He earned his grandmaster title at fifteen.

Hikaru was born in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, to a Japanese father, Shuichi Nakamura, and an American mother, Carolyn Merrow, who is a teacher and classically trained musician. His family moved to the U.S. when he was two, living in White Plains, New York. Hikaru’s first name 光 means “light” or “shine,” and his surname 中村 means “middle village.” His stepfather is Sri Lankan chess player, trainer, and author Sunil Weeramantry.

Hikaru is married to Iranian-American chess player Atousa Pourkashiyan.

Hikaru has said:

Fun fact of the day: I am 12.5% German, 12.5% Swedish, 50% Japanese and 25% mix of randomness!

Hikaru’s maternal grandfather was Raymond Theodore Merrow (the son of Raymond Merrow and Lilly H. Carlson). Hikaru’s great-grandfather Raymond was the son of Ira Nocross Merrow and Tena Craig. Lilly was the daughter of Swedish parents, John Carlson and Hulda.

Hikaru’s maternal grandmother is Margaret Ann Reinhold (the daughter of Leland A. Reinhold and Ruby Louise Crowley). Margaret was born in Panama City, Panama, to American parents. Leland was the son of Daniel G. Reinhold and Lena Mock/Mack. Ruby was born in Visalia, Tulare County, California, the daughter of Arthur Crowley and Emma Jane Gilliam, whose father, and maternal grandfather, were ministers.

Source: Genealogy of Hikaru’s maternal great-grandmother, Ruby Louise (Crowley) Reinhold – https://www.findagrave.com