Hikaru Nakamura celebrates his win over D Gukesh by tossing the king into the crowd. © Twitter
World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura found himself at the center of a global chess storm after his dramatic victory over India’s World Champion D Gukesh in the USA’s inaugural Checkmate tournament. The Japan-born American stunned spectators not only with his gameplay but with a post-match gesture that has divided the chess community: he picked up Gukesh’s king and threw it into the crowd. While some hailed it as entertaining theatrics, others decried it as outright disrespect.
Hikaru Nakamura’s ‘king toss’ sparks clash with Gukesh, stirring old rivalries.
“If I won, I was always going to throw the king. The fact that it was a dramatic bullet game made it even better. I hope the fans enjoyed it!” Nakamura said.#HikaruNakamura #DGukesh #Chess pic.twitter.com/OUojLXGyri
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) October 6, 2025
Also Read: Meet Lauren Bell: Most Stylish Cricketer At ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 – In Pics
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
Drama on the Board: USA Blank India 5-0
The USA delivered a dominant performance against India, sweeping the series 5-0. Nakamura, playing with white pieces, secured a decisive win against Gukesh, marking one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament. The act of tossing Gukesh’s king immediately after the win quickly went viral, sparking a heated debate on social media and chess forums.
While Gukesh calmly rearranged his pieces, earning praise for his sportsmanship, Nakamura’s celebratory act was interpreted differently across the globe. “I was winning, the crowd knew I was winning, so I was really happy to hear all the noise!” Nakamura remarked after the match, showing no remorse for the spectacle.
Clash of Perspectives: Disrespect or Entertainment?
Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik slammed Nakamura’s gesture, calling it “absolutely disrespectful” and “vulgar.” He criticized the act as symptomatic of the degradation of modern chess decorum. “I don’t know who came up with this childish, tasteless act… it looks offensive and provocative, especially against the World Champion,” Kramnik wrote on X.
However, not everyone saw it that way. Popular chess streamer Levy Rozman, aka GothamChess, explained that theatrics were encouraged in the short-format event. “Both teams were briefed that throwing kings and adding drama was okay to hype the crowd,” Rozman noted. Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri echoed this sentiment, saying Nakamura’s antics were meant to entertain rather than humiliate. “Organizers were experimenting to have some fun. Hikaru was just playing along and creating a viral moment — nothing more,” Giri added.
Chess Enters the Era of Spectacle
The controversy surrounding Nakamura highlights a growing tension in modern chess: balancing tradition with entertainment. Purists argue that the sport’s elegance lies in its decorum, subtlety, and respect for opponents. To them, throwing an opponent’s king is not just unsporting but an affront to chess’s long-standing values.
On the other hand, chess’s rising popularity online has changed how the game is presented. With millions of viewers watching live streams and viral clips, players like Nakamura and Rozman are adding showmanship to engage younger audiences. In fast-paced bullet and blitz games, theatrics such as tossing pieces may become more common as chess evolves from a quiet board game to a spectacle-driven sport.
Key Takeaways from Checkmate Tournament
Hikaru Nakamura vs D Gukesh: USA wins, king thrown into crowd, global debate ignites.
Indian Players’ Performance: Despite losses, Gukesh praised for composure; Arjun Erigaisi and Divya Deshmukh suffered defeats against top American players.
Event Format: New rules eliminated draw offers and resignations, requiring games to continue until checkmate or bare kings, promoting unpredictability and “chaos,” as described by Rozman.
Global Reaction: While purists like Kramnik criticized the theatrics, others including Giri and Rozman defended the spectacle as part of modern chess entertainment.
The Verdict: Drama or Disrespect?
Ultimately, Nakamura’s actions underscore the evolving face of chess in 2025. Whether his celebration is seen as disrespect or engaging drama depends largely on perspective. One thing is certain — chess is no longer confined to quiet concentration and subtle gestures. With showmanship, streaming, and viral moments shaping modern tournaments, the sport is entering a louder, more visible era, where players can entertain while competing at the highest level.
As India prepares for the return leg of the Checkmate tournament at home, eyes will be on Gukesh and the Indian squad to respond, both on the board and in the court of public opinion. Nakamura’s king toss may have ignited controversy, but it has also ensured that chess remains a talking point far beyond traditional enthusiasts.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news andworld News on Zee News.
