Fabiano Caruana Hails India, Uzbekistan For Nurturing Chess Talent; Calls Out US Govt

Last Updated:April 28, 2026, 14:32 IST

Fabiano Caruana criticises lack of US support for chess, praising India and Uzbekistan as rising powers ahead of a historic young World Championship clash.

American GM Fabiano Caruana has raised concerns over the lack of government support for chess in the United States, contrasting it with the structured backing seen in countries like India and Uzbekistan.

Speaking ahead of a Grand Chess Tour event in Bucharest, Caruana pointed to a widening gap in how nations are nurturing talent.

The US, historically home to icons like Bobby Fischer and Paul Morphy, still produces elite players such as Hans Niemann and Hikaru Nakamura. However, Caruana believes the pipeline is weakening.

“The US is a little different because the government hasn’t been involved in chess, so we rely on private companies and sponsors, like the Saint Louis Chess Club," he said in an interview with Ziarul Financiar.

Caruana, who last represented the US in a World Championship match in 2018, suggested that reliance on private funding alone may limit long-term growth.

In contrast, he highlighted how state-backed systems in other countries are producing consistent results.

“If you look at the countries that have made the most progress in the last two decades, like Uzbekistan and India, these are places where the governments have invested a lot of effort and money in chess, and the results are obvious," he noted.

Caruana, though, also highlighted the role that GMs themselves need to continue playing in the bigger picture moving forward.

“I think we have an important role. Children who play chess watch our games, either for pleasure or for inspiration, and our job is to set a good example, to encourage and inspire them to keep playing and improving."

The Proof Is In The Pudding

Uzbekistan claimed the Chess Olympiad title in 2022, and India followed with victory in 2024. Meanwhile, the US last won the event in 2016.

Caruana’s statements ring true when one looks at the top of the chess world currently. Javokhir Sindarov is set to challenge reigning world champion D Gukesh later this year after winning the Candidates Tournament.

Both players are just 20, setting up what will be the youngest World Championship match in history.

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