Checkmate: USA vs India

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  • #1

    Checkmate: USA vs India

    I'm thrilled to share that I have the honor of organizing a one-of-a-kind event this October 4th at the eSports Stadium in Arlington, Texas: Checkmate: USA vs India — a clash between two global chess powerhouses.

    This event is designed for TV and the fans. We’re expecting 2,500 fans live in the arena, which should be quite exciting.

    The Lineup: Five Boards, Four Categories

    Open Boards
    Hikaru Nakamura (USA, World #2) vs Gukesh Dommaraju (India, World Champion)
    Fabiano Caruana (USA, World #5) vs Arjun Erigaisi (India, World #4)

    Women’s Board
    Carissa Yip (USA) vs Divya Deshmukh (India)

    YouTubers’ Board (a fan favorite and tribute to the content creators who popularized chess)
    Levy Rozman (USA, GothamChess) vs Sagar Shah (India, ChessBase India)

    U15 Prodigy Board (Future Grandmasters on display)
    Tani Adewumi (USA) vs Ethan Vaz (India)

    Referee: Our dear friend Aris Marghetis

    The Format: Built for Decisive Action

    This is Leg 1, hosted in the USA. A return Leg will be played at a future date in India. There will be 5 Rounds (one per board), played sequentially, not simultaneously.
    Each Round follows this structure:
    • 10-minute Regular Game
    • If drawn → 5-minute Overtime Game
    • If drawn → 1-minute Shootout
    • If still drawn → Additional 1+1 Shootouts until there’s a winner
    (A 1-second increment is under discussion for time scrambles.)
    The USA will play White on all boards in this first leg (colors will reverse for the return leg in India).

    No Draw Offers. No Resignations. No Berlin.

    These games will not be rated—there’s no downside for the players, and every incentive to fight. Draw offers are prohibited. Resignations are discouraged. In short, this is chess to the death.

    Hope to see some of you there—live or online—as we take this first bold step forward. For tickets: www.checkmateusaindia.com

    Other links:
    Twitter:     https://x.com/checkmate_SV/status/1917931134597607867
    Press Release: https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...-the-Big-Stage
    Chesscom: https://www.chess.com/news/view/guke...sports-stadium
    Dallas News: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/ot...ium-arlington/
    Last edited by Salim Belcadi; Thursday, 1st May, 2025, 10:55 AM.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Great stuff Salim! --- everyone, Salim is so humble, that he barely mentions his involvement, but the man has pulled off a MIRACLE organizing this! Look at that lineup! Super job Salim!
    • 1 like

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    • #3
      Aris, welcome back! I notice you have a major role as well.

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      • #4
        The trailer is out - with Aris' voiceover

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMOXFoENVYI

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Salim Belcadi View Post
          The trailer is out - with Aris' voiceover

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMOXFoENVYI
          I don't recognize that AI-ed voice!

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          • #6
            https://www.chess.com/news/view/chec...-stadium-sport

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            • #7
              https://www.chess.com/news/view/naka...-vs-india-2025 Normally I wouldnt comment on events like these. But it was quite the dramatic spectacle. I not sure what was loved most by the crowd. Hikaru's checkmate of Gukesh and then throwing the king into the crowd, Fabiano's 1.c3, or Levy Rozman vs Sagar Shah's chaotic speed game.

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              • #8
                I do not watch many of these type of events.

                But I decided to take a look while on my cell at the time.

                It was fast-moving, I could see the playing board and follow the piece moves, even on my cell; I could see the clocks for each players as time got short; many different commentators jumping in and out - kept it from becoming too boring; interview with the winner..........

                All in all, a pleasant way to pass a few chess hours (Though certainly not hard-core studying!).

                Bob

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                • #9
                  Folks, I can tell you it was a RUSH! In person, you could FEEL the noise from the crowd, it was superb!

                  And some of the funniest things yelled out that I have ever heard about chess, so many CHARACTERS!

                  Great credit to Salim for his vision, his leadership, and his never-give-up we'll-get-it-DONE life philosophy!

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                  • #10
                    Interesting sport media event.

                    Aris was the star, having more air time than any player, smiling, looking muscular, standing over the board, in front of a boring white background. Couldn't the main camera been behind him showing the audience behind the players? Could he have two linemen officials next to each team bench to keep the teammates back? Visually it would look nice.

                    Since the players didn't have to touch the top of the clock, it could have been a few inches higher, above the top of the pieces. The crowd noise was very interesting. I liked when they got a chant going for Nakamura. I was hoping to see the spectators make a moving wave. Could the stage be a little lower and not so wide? Or be more centre like a boxing ring? Could the further back fans be in rows of stepped seats? i

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