India, Oct. 6 -- Controversy struck at the exhibition chess event, Checkmate: USA vs India, and it saw Hikaru Nakamura pull out a threatrical stunt after defeating D Gukesh. The American GM threw Gukesh's king into the crowd after checkmating him on the board in a bullet game. The exhibition event saw USA bag a 5-0 clean sweep against the Indian team.

Reacting to the controversy, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky took to X to question Hikaru's behaviour and asked fans if they could name any other 'top player who would do what' the American GM did.

"The event was a show. Fans were ecstatic. Players were encouraged to behave accordingly. All true", he wrote.

"Now, for better or worse, name me one top player who would do what Hikaru did", he added....