In an electrifying face-off in between India and the United States, world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura thrived over ruling world champ D Gukesh in an exhilarating bullet chess encounter on Saturday (early Sunday early morning in India). The significant match belonged to The Checkmate: USA vs India exhibit occasion, hosted at the Arlington Esports Stadium in Texas. Unlike conventional chess competitions, where silence rules supreme, this occasion motivated fans to scream, cheer, and even boo– turning the generally peaceful video game into a full-blown viewer sport.
Nakamura’s Show-Stopping Celebration
Nakamura sealed the USA’s 5-0 sweep versus India with a spectacular last checkmate and commemorated in flamboyant design by tossing a chess piece towards the cheering crowd. Gukesh, who had actually installed an intense battle throughout the series, might just view as the American grandmaster indulged in the minute. Regardless of having little bit at stake, Gukesh held his ground in both the 10-minute and five-minute quick rounds, handling draws with the black pieces. The one-minute bullet match– a hectic format with simply a one-second increment per relocation– showed definitive.
The video game concluded with Nakamura’s queen providing checkmate on d8, while his bishop on b2 caught Gukesh’s king on f8, sealing the win in traditional design. As the host country, the American group played with white pieces in all video games. The Indian gamers will get their turn with white in the upcoming reverse component, set to occur in India.
Who is Hikaru Nakamura?
Born upon December 9, 1987, Hikaru Nakamura is an American chess grandmaster, five-time U.S. Champion, banner, and YouTuber. A kid prodigy, he ended up being a grandmaster at simply 15– the youngest American to attain the title at the time. Understood for his aggressive, innovative play and showmanship, Nakamura boasts a peak FIDE score of 2816, ranking him amongst the leading 10 gamers in chess history.
Over his profession, he has actually represented the U.S. in 7 Chess Olympiads, making a group gold and 2 bronzes. He likewise completed second in the 2024 Candidates Tournament. Beyond the board, Nakamura is among the world’s most prominent chess characters online, streaming to millions throughout Twitch, Kick, and YouTube. His material has actually been credited with bringing a brand-new generation of fans into the world of competitive chess.