Fans of Cuban-American Grandmaster Leinier Domínguez experienced a thrilling moment when he stunned the world’s number two, Japanese-born American Hikaru Nakamura, during the 2024 St. Louis Rapid & Blitz Chess Tournament.
The beloved chess player from Güines, currently ranked 13th globally, left Nakamura in disbelief, causing him to leap from his chair upon realizing he had lost his queen and, consequently, the game. Nakamura, visibly shaken, extended his hand to Leinier reluctantly and without making eye contact, a gesture that was widely criticized.
In the tournament, which concluded on August 16, Domínguez finished in ninth place, earning $8,000, while Nakamura secured third place and a $25,000 prize.
Leinier's Historic Achievement in Chess Olympiad
This week, representing the United States team, Leinier Domínguez (rating 2748) became the first Cuban-born player to win a team medal at the Chess Olympiad. This milestone occurred in Budapest, Hungary, at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad. The Indian team clinched the gold medal with 21 points, four points ahead of the U.S. team, which scored 17 points.
Success in the U.S. Chess Championship
In October 2023, Domínguez secured second place in the U.S. Chess Championship after drawing with Grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann. Achieving a podium finish in the event earned him a $35,000 prize.
By the end of that year, Domínguez was ranked among the top 10 chess players in the world, a list led by Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, followed by Americans Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura.
Domínguez obtained U.S. citizenship in 2022, having joined the United States Chess Federation in December 2018.