**Hikaru Nakamura’s Gesture After Defeating Gukesh Sparks Debate**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 06, 2025 | 02:08 PM*
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**What’s the story?**
Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh’s recent defeat against Hikaru Nakamura at the ‘Checkmate: USA vs India’ exhibition event has ignited a major controversy. After winning the final game, Nakamura tossed Gukesh’s king into the crowd—a gesture many considered disrespectful both to the game of chess and to Gukesh himself.
However, others have defended the move as a lighthearted break from the traditional, often serious image associated with chess.
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**Event Details**
It’s important to note that the ‘Checkmate: USA vs India’ event was not an official FIDE tournament. Being an exhibition event, the usual etiquette and formalities of professional chess did not necessarily apply.
The match aimed to attract new audiences by introducing quirky, unconventional elements. Players were announced WWE-style, and unlike regular chess games where the audience remains mostly silent, attendees were encouraged to cheer and jeer, creating a lively atmosphere.
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**Pre-Planned Celebration**
Nakamura’s controversial gesture was not a spontaneous reaction but a part of a pre-planned celebration agreed upon beforehand. Organizers had discussed this with all participants and encouraged them to be candid and entertaining during the event.
YouTuber Levy Rozman, who also participated in the exhibition and defeated ChessBase India’s Sagar Shah, revealed that Nakamura’s action was done at the request of the organizers. Nakamura later explained his actions privately to Gukesh.
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**Community Response**
The chess community’s reactions have been mixed. Chess streamer Jules Gambit, who co-hosted the event, defended Nakamura on social media, emphasizing that all players were told to enjoy themselves after a win and that it would be unfair to judge Nakamura by the standards of traditional chess competitions.
Despite some backlash, several respected figures in the chess world, including Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, supported Nakamura’s decision as a part of an experimental and fun approach to the game.
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**Rivalries Reignited**
The incident has also reignited some old rivalries. Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik openly criticized Nakamura, calling his celebration a “degradation” of the sport. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky also voiced disapproval, saying Nakamura’s actions disrespected the reigning world champion.
In response, the event organizers addressed the criticism, emphasizing the exhibition’s intent to entertain and attract a broader audience.
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**Final Thoughts**
While the gesture sparked debate and drew criticism from traditionalists, many players and fans understand that Nakamura’s actions were purely meant for entertainment in a non-traditional setting. The event successfully challenged conventional norms, prompting discussions about the evolving face of chess.
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*Watch the viral clip here!*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/hikaru-nakamura-tossing-gukesh-s-king-sparks-storm-in-chess-world/story