Chess world set for mega India vs USA clash as Gukesh-Nakamura face-off confirmed

First Post

02-05-2025

The sport of chess is growing rapidly in terms of coverage and fandom, with India and the USA at the forefront of this global surge. Their top players — including D Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura — will face off in a unique competition this October. Here's all you need to know. read more
Checkmate: USA vs India will take place on 4 October at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Image: FIDE
Two chess powerhouses – India and the USA – will clash at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a unique five-board match in October this year. The upcoming event, which is named Checkmate: USA vs India, will see chess world champion D Gukesh take on America's No.1 Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, while Arjun Erigaisi will face world No.5 Fabiano Caruana.
The uniqueness of the chess tournament, which will take place on 4 October, can be gauged from the fact that it will also include matches between players who are some of the biggest chess streamers in the world. For example, Levy Rozman also known as GothamChess, will take on Sagar Shah, who runs ChessBase India. International Master Rozman has over 6 million subscribers on his YouTube Channel, while ChessBase India has over 2.62 million subscribers.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Checkmate: USA vs India tournament will also feature some of the biggest female players from the two countries, as 21-year-old Carissa Yip takes on Divya Deshmukh (19). Another big attraction in the competition will be the fight between young chess talents, like the match between eight-year-old chess prodigy Tanitoluwa Adewumi and 14-year-old Ethan Vaz of India.
Five boards for Checkmate: USA vs India
Hikaru Nakamura (USA) vs D Gukesh (India)
Fabiano Caruana (USA) vs Arjun Erigaisi (India)
Levy Rozman (USA) vs Sagar Shah (India)
Carissa Yip (USA) vs Divya Deshmukh (India)
Tanitoluwa Adewumi (USA) vs Ethan Vaz (India)
The organisers are hoping that at least 2,500 spectators will turnup at the Esports Stadium for the competition to see matches between world champion Gukesh and Nakamura and other chess stars.
World No.2 Nakamura feels such an event will be a big boost towards raising the profile of chess.
'This is the kind of event that elevates chess to the next level,' Nakamura, said. 'India has become one of the most exciting forces in global chess, and I'm thrilled to take them on in front of a live crowd here in the US We want to show the world that America is home to some of the best players in the game—and that chess can be as thrilling and competitive as any major sport.'
The oragnisers of the event, Checkmate Strategic Ventures, have said that a second leg will also take place in India soon.
Checkmate: USA vs India: Format
Team USA will have the white board advantage in all matches as they are the home team. India are expected to have the white boards in the second leg.
The USA vs India match will consist of five rounds. They will be played sequentially, one board at a time.
Time control:
Regular Game: 10 minutes per player
If draw, Overtime Game: 5 minutes per player
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
If draw, Shootout Game: 1 minute per player
If drawn, additional 1 min per player games until winner emerges
No prize money has been declared so far and the tickets went live on tixr.com on 1 May.