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India Chess Team Shocked by USA in Live Checkmate Event
The Indian chess team faced a surprising 0-5 defeat against Team USA in the opening leg of Checkmate: USA vs India, held in Arlington, Texas. This innovative live-arena event transformed chess into a high-energy spectacle, where fans were encouraged to cheer, chant, and create an atmosphere unlike traditional silent tournaments.
The headline match featured world champion Dommaraju Gukesh against Hikaru Nakamura, with Gukesh playing black. The Indian grandmaster was outpaced and outmaneuvered in a fast-paced bullet game, setting the tone for a one-sided evening in favour of the hosts.
Other notable results included:
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Arjun Erigaisi losing to Fabiano Caruana, world No. 3.
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Divya Deshmukh, India’s newest grandmaster, falling to rising star Carissa Yip.
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Sagar Shah, co-founder of ChessBase India, defeated by streamer and international master Levy Rozman (GothamChess).
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Youngest Indian player, 13-year-old Ethan Vaz, losing to 14-year-old Tanitoluwa Adewumi.
The format gave Team USA an advantage, as they played with white pieces in all games, allowing them to control early game dynamics. Despite promising positions, Indian players struggled to capitalize under pressure.
The arena atmosphere was a stark contrast to conventional chess events, with fans applauding moves, chanting, and creating a sports-like energy throughout the matches.
The second leg of Checkmate will take place in India, where the home team will enjoy the white pieces. Gukesh and his teammates are expected to seek redemption, aiming to leverage home advantage and deliver a strong performance against the American squad.
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Published: Oct 05, 2025
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