D Gukesh’s Calm Triumph Over Nakamura – World Chess Champion D. Gukesh pulled off an important win against American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in the rapid format at the Clutch Chess Champions Showdown 2025 in Saint Louis, USA. The young Indian dominated the mini-match with a composed and confident performance, marking a sweet victory against the same opponent who had caused quite a stir a few weeks ago.
That earlier incident, when Hikaru Nakamura threw D Gukesh’s king into the crowd after defeating him in the Checkmate: USA vs India exhibition, had sparked huge outrage online. So naturally, this rematch was one of the most anticipated showdowns of the event.
A Respectful Response on the Board
The key moment came in Round 2, Game 1, where D Gukesh, playing with the Black pieces, came out on top after a deep and strategic battle. But what caught everyone’s attention wasn’t just the win; it was what he did afterward. Instead of reacting dramatically, D Gukesh quietly began to rearrange the chessboard.
This small but meaningful act said everything about his character. It showed his grace, maturity, and respect for the game, a reminder that true champions don’t need theatrics to make a statement.
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Fans Applaud D Gukesh’s Sportsmanship
After the match, social media was filled with praise for Gukesh’s calm and dignified behavior. Fans admired how he remained composed both in victory and defeat, calling his attitude a breath of fresh air in today’s high-intensity chess scene. Many saw his quiet gesture as a perfect response to the earlier controversy, confident, classy, and deeply respectful.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
Check out the final moments of Gukesh beating Hikaru Nakamura with the Black pieces at Champions Showdown! pic.twitter.com/RqgW6WtCZ9
— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) October 27, 2025
Hikaru Nakamura’s King-Throwing Controversy
The now-infamous king-throwing incident had divided the chess world. While some claimed the move was encouraged by event organizers to add entertainment value, many players and fans criticized it as “disrespectful.”
Hikaru Nakamura, however, defended his behavior, saying the king toss was pre-planned and meant purely for the fans’ enjoyment: “The king-toss was always planned if I won and was intended purely for the entertainment of the fans.”
Despite the drama, Gukesh’s calm response during that earlier match, simply resetting the pieces after the toss, had already earned him respect. His recent victory only reinforced that image, proving that dignity and composure often speak louder than any gesture.
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