Who Is Khagan Ahmad? The 13-Year-Old Who Defeated Hikaru Nakamura
Khagan Ahmad is in the headlines as he defeated World number 2 Hikaru Nakamura at the Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2025. Explore who he is, and his rise to success.
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The internet has been taken by storm as Khagan Ahmad, a 13-year-old prodigy, defeated World number 2, Hikaru Nakamura, who is among the chess elites. He’s one of the most dominant forces in chess; however, this surprising loss at the Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2025 has been on the headlines for all the good reasons. So let’s take a look at the win.
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When Khagan Ahmad Defeated Hikaru Nakamura
The FIDE Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2025 have brought together the world’s strongest chess players competing in the fast-paced world of Rapid and Blitz format. Nakamura entered the tournament as a part of the top-seed and defending champion WR Chess Team.
However, the highlight of the tournament was when Hikaru Nakamura lost to a 13-year-old chess prodigy, Khagan Ahmad, who is an international master from Azerbaijan. He managed to defeat Nakamura in a blitz game, marking the American’s only defeat of the day.
And apparently, the victory was not just a single chance of luck. It was pure talent as it was a part of his hat-trick of wins, where he also ended the day with nine consecutive victories. The game quickly went viral, with fans and experts expressing their surprise. The defeat was seen as a humbling moment for Hikaru Nakamura, who is seen as one of the best blitz players in the world. So, who exactly is Khagan Ahmad? Let’s take a look.
Who Is Khagan Ahmad?
Khagan Ahmad was born in 2011 and has already achieved the title of International Master. His FIDE ratings stand af 2045 in standard chess, 2265 in Rapid, and 2290 in blitz, showcasing his strong hold on the game across all formats.
Before this breakthrough, he had previously defeated chess giants like World Number 3, Fabiano Caruana, and Irina Krush earlier this year. He has participated in prestigious tournaments like the Qatar Masters Open 2024 and the European Individual Chess Championships 2025, where the average opponent rating is often more than 2400. This showcases his well-rounded and flexible approach to the game and his ability to compete against elite opponents.
His online presence is also notable as he has an active Chess.com profile where he regularly competes with strong opponents and participates in events like the Chess.com Legends Club and Olympic Esports Series.
Khagan Ahmad is believed to be on track and achieve the Grandmaster title within the next two or so years, given his current form. His rise to success makes him one of the most promising young talents in the chess world.
Also Read: Meet Andrea Kimi Antonelli: A World Champion In Making