Brandon Jacobson

World rank: No. 97 (October 2026)
Rating: 2627 (−17 this month)
Peak rating: 2644 (September 2026)
Title: Grandmaster (2020)
Federation: United States
Born: November 14, 2003, Plainfield, New Jersey, United States (age 22)
FIDE ID: 30901561

An American grandmaster from New Jersey who earned the title at 16 in 2020.

He became known for playing the offbeat opening 1.a4, including in a win over Hikaru Nakamura at the 2024 World Rapid Championship. He reached his career-high rating of 2644 and No. 73 in the world in September 2026.

Career highlights

Grandmaster at 16
Beat Hikaru Nakamura with 1.a4 at the 2024 World Rapid
Career-high rating of 2644 (September 2026)

Brandon Jacobson in The Chess Herald

Sep 6, 2026Deekshitha's Record Gain Shows How Fast the FIDE Rating List Can Move

FIDE profile · Wikipedia
Profile last reviewed September 29, 2026. Ratings update monthly from FIDE.