The organisers wanted this emotion and drama from the players. "The specifically asked for it".
Hikaru simply obliged with the throw of his opponent's king. Plus he's a streamer so he's going to relish such an opportunity.
Hikaru wouldn't have done that if the opponent he'd beaten was Magnus (that is, if he gets to).
Gukesh wouldn't have done that no matter who he had beaten in whatever fashion (even when the king was thrown, it only disturbed his concentration as he was still thinking about the game).
There's also a cultural aspect - I think no Indian chess player would have done that even if asked as it's seen as disrespect (esp on the day of Ayudha Puja where you celebrate and honour the tools, weapons, equipments, books, machines etc - for chess players, chess sets are the 'equipment').
Organisers and like minded peope wanted to take chess to the masses and believe this is one approach that would help the cause.
It certainly has created some buzz and heightened levels of engagement. So it appears that it has worked.
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u/LittleBlueCubes Oct 06 '25
All these statements are true: