A big controversy broke out at the ‘Checkmate: USA vs India’ chess tournament in Texas on Sunday after American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura threw D Gukesh’s king piece into the crowd. The ill act shocked many fans and created an uproar on social media.

Chess lovers called the move “tasteless” and “disrespectful,” saying such theatrics don’t belong in the sport. Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik was among the strongest critics, calling it vulgar and harmful for the image of chess. Many fans also felt that tossing the opponent’s king, considered the most symbolic piece in the game, crossed a line, especially since Gukesh is the reigning World Champion.

Why did Hikaru throw Gukesh’s chess piece?

However, reports later revealed that the act was not Nakamura’s personal decision. It was part of a planned stunt arranged by the organisers to add entertainment value to the event. Chess expert Levy Rozman (GothamChess) explained in a video that the players were told beforehand to do something dramatic if they won.

For example, in another game, the winner was supposed to break the king. In Nakamura vs Gukesh’s match, the winner was asked to toss the king into the crowd. Rozman added that Nakamura later explained the situation to Gukesh, making it clear that no disrespect was intended.

Nakamura also shared his side of the story on his YouTube channel. He said it was one of the most enjoyable chess events he had ever played in and that the celebration was meant to make chess more fun and exciting for fans. He also highlighted how chess can sometimes feel like a lonely profession, and moments like these bring energy and validation to the players.

Despite these explanations, Kramnik refused to accept the justification. On social media, he wrote that such acts show the “degradation of modern chess.” He also criticised organisers for promoting showmanship over respect and good behaviour, warning that it could harm the future of the game. In the end, the king-throwing incident showed how chess is trying to attract a wider audience through entertainment, but it also sparked a debate about where to draw the line between tradition and showmanship.