Hans Niemann

Hans Niemann has always been a mainstay of the junior chess scene in the United States, but until recently, there was nothing to separate him from other promising juniors. Over the past two years, Niemann has gone from the high 2400s to an elite top 50 player in the world. While everyone is familiar with his earth-shattering victory over Magnus Carlsen, perhaps equally impressive is his consistent performances on the grueling tournament chess circuit. In 2021, these performances included winning both the World Open and U.S. Junior Championships, placing second in the U.S. Open, and holding his own at the FIDE Grand Swiss. Niemann has just finished competing in the U.S. Championship, where he surged to a +1 score by winning three of his final four games following a rocky start.