The United States cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory over India in the first leg of the Checkmate event, a live arena chess spectacle held in Arlington. World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura defeated world champion D Gukesh in the headline match, but it was his controversial post-match celebration that grabbed global attention.

The highly anticipated clash saw both sides create chances, yet the Americans held their composure to deliver a clean sweep. India, playing with the black pieces, faltered under pressure and will look to bounce back in the return leg on home soil.

Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi was beaten by Fabiano Caruana, while Divya Deshmukh suffered an upset loss to International Master Carissa Yip. International Master Levy Rozman overcame Sagar Shah, and chess prodigy Ethan Vaz fell to Tani Adewumi.

However, Nakamura’s actions after his victory over Gukesh caused a stir. Moments after the match ended, he took Gukesh’s king piece and threw it towards the crowd — a gesture that divided opinion online. Critics called it disrespectful, while others suggested it was part of the entertainment format encouraged by organisers.

Despite the controversy, Gukesh earned widespread praise for his composure. The 19-year-old Indian, currently ranked World No. 11, is expected to lead India’s response in the second leg of Checkmate to be held in India.

The event, designed to blend sport and spectacle, marked a new experiment in live chess entertainment, but Nakamura’s dramatic gesture ensured it ended in headlines beyond the board.