Hikaru Nakamura Sparks Controversy After Tossing D Gukesh’s King into Crowd

Arlington, October 5, 2025: In a dramatic finish at the first Checkmate chess event in Arlington, USA, Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura caused a stir after defeating World Champion D Gukesh. Playing with the white pieces, Nakamura celebrated his win by tossing Gukesh’s king into the crowd, a gesture that immediately went viral on social media. Fans and chess enthusiasts were divided, with many criticizing the act as disrespectful, while others viewed it as an exuberant celebration. The match was part of a team competition where the USA dominated India with a 5-0 sweep. Despite intense moments during the games, the Americans capitalized on key opportunities. Indian players, though talented, struggled to secure victories, and their losses drew global attention. D Gukesh, in contrast to Nakamura’s dramatic display, quietly rearranged the chess pieces after his defeat. This calm demeanor earned him praise from fans and the chess community worldwide for his sportsmanship and composure. Nakamura explained his actions after the match, saying, “I was winning, the crowd knew I was winning, so I was really happy to hear all the noise!” His words reflected his excitement but did little to quell the criticism surrounding the gesture. Other notable matches in the event included Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi losing to Fabiano Caruana and Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh suffering a surprise defeat against International Master Carissa Yip. International Master Levy Rozman defeated Sagar Shah, while chess prodigy Ethan Vaz lost to International Master Tani Adewumi. Each match brought high tension and showcased players’ strategies, with several games decided in the final moves. The event also introduced some new rules to make games more competitive and exciting. Chess.com announced that draws and resignations were removed, requiring games to be played out until checkmate, flagging, or bare kings, unless the position was theoretically drawn. This format ensured that every match ended decisively, adding a layer of intensity and unpredictability to the tournament. Looking ahead, Indian players will get a chance to respond in the second leg of the event in India, where they will play with the white pieces. Fans hope that the home advantage and lessons learned from the Arlington matches will help the Indian team perform better. While Nakamura’s celebration overshadowed parts of the tournament, the event highlighted the competitive spirit, talent, and unpredictability of international chess. The controversy surrounding his gesture sparked a wider debate on sportsmanship, respect, and expressions of victory in professional chess. Regardless of opinions on the act, the Checkmate event showcased thrilling games and intense battles, capturing global attention and demonstrating the growing popularity of competitive chess worldwide. Nakamura Sparks Controversy After Tossing Gukesh’s King Hikaru Nakamura created a storm after defeating D Gukesh at the first Checkmate chess event in Arlington. Playing with white pieces, Nakamura tossed Gukesh’s king into the crowd, a move that quickly went viral and divided fans. While many called it disrespectful, Gukesh quietly rearranged the pieces, earning praise for his sportsmanship. The USA won the team event 5-0, with other matches seeing Arjun Erigaisi and Divya Deshmukh lose, while Levy Rozman and Ethan Vaz also faced defeats. The tournament’s new rules removed draws and resignations, requiring games to be played until checkmate or bare kings.