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Hikaru Nakamura took the king from Gukesh's pieces and threw it to the assemblage aft defeating him (Screengrabs)
The USA dominated the opening limb of the 'Checkmate' event, defeating India 5-0 successful a high-voltage chess spectacle held successful Arlington, but it was Hikaru Nakamura’s post-match motion that stole the spotlight and divided sentiment connected societal media. Facing satellite champion D Gukesh successful the header game, Nakamura, ranked World No. 2 with a FIDE standing of 2816, produced a objective show to outplay the 19-year-old Indian prodigy. The Americans displayed composure nether unit to expanse the tie, portion India, playing with achromatic pieces, struggled to find bushed crossed the boards.
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Alongside Nakamura’s triumph implicit Gukesh, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi went down to Fabiano Caruana, Divya Deshmukh was upset by Carissa Yip, International Master Levy Rozman defeated Sagar Shah, and young Ethan Vaz mislaid to Tani Adewumi. However, Nakamura’s solemnisation drew wide attraction erstwhile helium threw Gukesh’s king portion toward the assemblage moments aft sealing victory. The act, which appeared spontaneous, triggered crisp reactions online, with galore fans calling it unnecessary and disrespectful.Watch the arguable infinitesimal here However, immoderate argued that lawsuit organisers indispensable person told some teams that airy theatrics specified arsenic toppling oregon tossing pieces were permitted to heighten the unrecorded experience.
Despite the controversy, Gukesh received beardown enactment from planetary chess followers, who praised his composure and competitory spirit. The reigning satellite champion, presently ranked World No. 11, is expected to pb India’s fightback erstwhile the 2nd limb of Checkmate takes spot connected location soil.
Poll
What was your absorption to Hikaru Nakamura's post-match motion of throwing Gukesh's king piece?
It was disrespectful.It was a amusive moment.
Nakamura’s fiery show came months aft different viral chess flashpoint, erstwhile Gukesh defeated Magnus Carlsen during Norway Chess 2025, prompting a uncommon disposable outburst from the Norwegian star. The instrumentality limb successful India present promises an aggravated rematch, some connected and disconnected the board.
