Hikaru Nakamura Defends King Toss

Hikaru Nakamura defended his act of tossing D Gukesh's king into the crowd after defeating the Indian grandmaster in the exhibition event Checkmate: USA vs India.

What happened?

The incident occurred during the event, which sparked criticism on social media from fans and former players.

Nakamura clarified that the stunt was part of the entertainment format suggested by the event organisers.

Why it matters for Hikaru Nakamura

Nakamura explained that if it were a serious event, like the Candidates, he would never do such a thing, as it would be disrespectful to the game and his opponent.

He also addressed the technical side of his underhand toss, ensuring no one was hurt.

What comes next?

Nakamura suggested a playful celebration for D Gukesh should he win in the reverse match scheduled in India later this year.

He told Gukesh to stand up, queue up the Bollywood music, and start dancing at the chessboard in front of him.

Nakamura's clarification came on his YouTube stream, where he also mimicked his baseball-throwing skills as a southpaw from childhood.

The Checkmate: USA vs India event aimed to entertain, and Nakamura's actions reflected this goal.

The chess community continues to debate the boundaries between entertainment and respect for the game.

Nakamura's suggestion for Gukesh's potential victory highlights the light-hearted spirit of the event.