Notably absent is [[Hikaru Nakamura]], the most popular and influential [[American]] chess champion ranked #6 in the world. However, he has skipped this tournament in the past, too.<ref>https://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/why-hikaru-nakamura-doesnt-participate-in-us-championship</ref> | Notably absent is [[Hikaru Nakamura]], the most popular and influential [[American]] chess champion ranked #6 in the world. However, he has skipped this tournament in the past, too.<ref>https://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/why-hikaru-nakamura-doesnt-participate-in-us-championship</ref> |