Brandon Jacobson

Last updated

Brandon Jacobson
CountryUnited States
Born (2003-11-14) November 14, 2003 (age 21)
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Title Grandmaster (2020)
FIDE   rating 2569 (July 2025)
Peak rating 2594 (August 2025)

Brandon Jacobson (born November 14, 2003) is an American chess player who received the FIDE title of Grandmaster in 2020 at the age of 16. He previously held the International Master (2018) and FIDE Master (2017) titles. He is ranked the 36th best player in the United States. [1] [2] His highest rating was 2583 (in November 2024). [3] Brandon's older brother Aaron Jacobson holds the title of International Master. [4]

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Chess career

In January 2020, Jacobson won the 2020 Charlotte Open in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a score of 7.0/9, half a point ahead of GM Cemil Can Ali Marandi, GM Akshat Chandra, GM Andrew Tang, GM Ulvi Bajarani, and IM Aaron Grabinsky. He earned his final GM norm and a $3000 prize. [5]

Later in 2020, Jacobson participated in the 2020 US Junior Chess Championship. He ended the tournament with a 5.5 score and 4th in rankings. [6]

In May 2024, Jacobson gained notoriety by playing a dubious opening (1.a4 and 2.Ra3 as White and 1...a5 and 2...Ra6 as Black) during a match against Daniel Naroditsky, defeating him (+37, -26, =6). Jacobson's chess.com account (named "Viih_Sou") was later banned for cheating, though former World Champion Magnus Carlsen would later use the opening in all blitz games of the subsequent Early Titled Tuesday. [7]

Jacobson vs. Nakamura, World Rapid Chess Championship 2024
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Final position

In December 2024, Jacobson again used the dubious opening 1.a4 (though without playing 2.Ra3), this time against Hikaru Nakamura in the World Rapid Chess Championship 2024, winning the game in 47 moves. [8]

References

  1. "Brandon Jacobson player profile". FIDE.com . Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  2. "Title Application for Grandmaster" (PDF). FIDE.com . Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  3. "Brandon Jacobson rating chart". FIDE.com . Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  4. "Jacobson, Aaron".
  5. "2020 Charlotte Open Standings". Chessstream.com. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  6. "US Junior Championship". Chessgames.com . Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  7. "An offer you can't refuse..." May 10, 2024.
  8. "Brandon Jacobson vs Hikaru Nakamura". Chessgames.com .