Hikaru Nakamura’s Victory and Controversial Gesture
In a recent match at the Checkmate tournament, grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura faced Gukesh, ultimately winning in a bullet match. Celebrating his victory, Nakamura dramatically tossed Gukesh’s king into the crowd, an act that has generated considerable debate among the chess community regarding its appropriateness.
Gukesh’s Sportsmanship
Despite the controversial celebration, Gukesh demonstrated commendable sportsmanship by calmly rearranging the pieces on the board after his defeat, contrasting Nakamura’s flamboyant display.
Organizers Encourage Theatrics
International Master Levy Rozman noted that the event organizers encouraged theatrical displays to enhance the audience experience, revealing that Nakamura’s act was planned ahead of time.
India’s Loss
The Indian team suffered a significant defeat during the match, with key players including Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi and rising star Divya Deshmukh experiencing unexpected losses, contributing to a 5-0 outcome.
Upcoming Matches
The second leg of the tournament will take place in India, where Indian players will have the advantage of starting with the white pieces.