In Episode 10, we dive into one of the hottest debates in chess right now—Hikaru Nakamura’s controversial pursuit of a Candidates spot for the 2026 FIDE World Chess Championship. Rather than depending solely on traditional elite events like the Grand Swiss or World Cup, Hikaru has been accused of strategically facing much lower-rated opponents to secure rating points. We break down the arguments from both sides: is this smart strategy within the rules, or an abuse of the system? We also explore the impact on casual players unexpectedly paired with the world number two, the fairness of the current qualification cycle, and whether FIDE should consider reforms.