**Hikaru Nakamura’s Gesture After Defeating Gukesh Sparks Debate**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 06, 2025, 2:08 PM*
**What’s the Story?**
Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh’s defeat against Hikaru Nakamura at the ‘Checkmate: USA vs India’ exhibition event has sparked a major controversy. After winning the final game, Nakamura threw Gukesh’s king piece into the crowd—a gesture many deemed disrespectful both to the game of chess and to Gukesh himself. However, others defended the act as a refreshing and entertaining break from chess’s traditionally reserved image.
**Event Details**
It’s important to note that the ‘Checkmate: USA vs India’ event was not a FIDE-sanctioned tournament, but rather an exhibition designed to attract new audiences through quirky adaptations to the traditional chess format. Unlike standard chess matches, players were introduced with WWE-style announcements and encouraged to cheer or jeer before a live audience, breaking the customary silence typically observed during competitive chess.
**Pre-Planned Celebration**
Nakamura’s controversial move was not spontaneous but part of a pre-planned celebration agreed upon before the match. Organizers discussed the celebratory gesture with all participants and encouraged them to express themselves candidly. YouTuber Levy Rozman, who also took part in the exhibition by defeating ChessBase India’s Sagar Shah, revealed that Nakamura’s action was in line with what the organizers requested. Nakamura even explained his intent privately to Gukesh afterward.
**Community Response**
The chess community’s reactions were mixed. Chess streamer Jules Gambit, a co-host of the event, defended Nakamura on social media, emphasizing that all players were instructed to have fun after a win. She argued it is unfair to judge Nakamura’s gesture by traditional chess standards given the experimental nature of the event.
Despite some backlash, notable chess figures, including Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, publicly supported Nakamura’s decision, seeing it as a lighthearted and creative aspect of this unconventional exhibition.
**Rivalries Reignited**
However, the incident reignited old rivalries and tensions. Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik criticized Nakamura’s celebration, labeling it a “degradation” of the sport. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky also condemned Nakamura’s actions, accusing him of disrespecting the world champion’s title. Event organizers responded to these criticisms by highlighting the nature and spirit of the exhibition.
**Conclusion**
While the gesture stirred controversy, many players and fans sympathized with Nakamura’s intent, understanding that it was meant purely for entertainment and to challenge traditional perceptions of chess.
**Watch the Viral Clip Here!**
*Check out the moment that set the chess world buzzing on Twitter.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/hikaru-nakamura-tossing-gukesh-s-king-sparks-storm-in-chess-world/story