Hikaru Nakamura is below excessive backlash after his controversial Grand Finals in opposition to Alireza Firouzja on the 2024 Bullet Chess Championship. The influential chess Grandmaster suffered a horrible finale run and was caught spewing offensive remarks in opposition to his opponent. His unhealthy sportsmanship sparked outrage from followers and the group.
Who the f*ck do you suppose you’re?
Nakamura mentioned to Firouzja
Hikaru Nakamura suffered a heavy loss within the Grand Ultimate
Within the annual Bullet Chess Championship, Hikaru Nakamura squared off in opposition to 20-year-old Alireza Firouzja. Whereas Nakamura had a simple Higher Bracket run – browsing into the Grand Finals with none losses – Firouzja dropped to the Decrease Bracket early and needed to defeat 5 opponents earlier than entering into the finale.
The Grand Finals sequence began with greater than quarter-hour of delay, which Firouzja had requested for as a consequence of exhaustion. The French Iranian GM had performed three sequence previous to the Grand Finals. He was visibly drained from the continual grind. In an interview later, Firouzja acknowledged that he was near withdrawing from the finals as he was too exhausted to hold on.
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Following the prolonged break, the Grand Ultimate resumed however Nakamura rapidly crumbled to lose his first life. In a surprising turnaround, the world’s #third misplaced six consecutive video games in opposition to Firouzja which in the end led to a Grand Ultimate reset.
The Grand Ultimate reset was a more in-depth battle however it turned in favor of Firouzja. Within the deciding recreation, Nakamura closely blundered. He resigned with 30 seconds left on the clock – crowning Alireza Firouzja because the champion of Bullet Chess Championship.
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Nakamura complains to Chess.com about Firouzja’s 20-minutes break
Probably the most controversial level of this whole Nakamura-Firouzja drama was when Nakamura engaged in a heated dialog with Chess.com. He complained about how Firouzja was in a position to get a 20-minutes break on demand and messed with the schedule. Firouzja who was listening to the dialog chimed in to defend himself and Nakamura lashed again at his opponent.
Within the first a part of the clip, Nakamura acknowledged that Firouzja’s choice to take a 20 minutes break must be penalized. He additionally mentioned that Firouzja was mendacity about his exhaustion and was in a position to carry out properly.
He does this to get a 20 minute break after which he comes again and does this. I’m sorry however no, there needs to be some type of penalty evaluation for that. No, I imply that is nonsense. It’s an entire lie that he’s drained. Oh, he’s so drained that he can’t play? After which he does this. Like, I’m sorry however I’m simply not gonna proceed like this. I shouldn’t have allowed this to occur to start with however now I’m gonna put my foot down.
Hikaru Nakamura
I used to be not enjoyable. I used to be speaking to them.
Alireza Firouzja
No, please, you don’t get to say this dude. You’re the one who claims that you really want a break, the schedule’s unsuitable. No, I’m sorry however this isn’t how this works. Who the fuck do you suppose you’re?! Severely?
Hikaru Nakamura
Extra offensive remarks by Hikaru Nakamura prompts backlash
On prime of the already disagreeable dialog between the 2, Hikaru Nakamura would have extra rants on stream the place he addressed Alireza Firouzja in offensive remarks. The American streamer acknowledged that Magnus Carlsen needed to undergo an identical tiring format beforehand however wasn’t performing like a “little bitch about it”.
He additionally acknowledged that Alireza and his household cares much more about chess whereas additionally calling them “crazies”. He additionally added that Firouzja by no means gained when it mattered and identified his lackluster efficiency through the newest Candidates.
Firouzja cares much more about this stuff. Him, his dad, his brother, all these crazies care much more about this stuff than I ever will, luckily.
Hikaru Nakamura
Most followers and the chess group are upset at Nakamura’s habits and referred to as out the streamer to present an apology to Firouzja. Some believes that he might’ve disagreed with the 20-minute break earlier and never after matches have ended. Part of the group additionally sees Nakamura’s complains as tilted remarks following a tough loss in a title that he’s most well-known for.
As for now, there hasn’t been any official assertion from Nakamura relating to the incident. He did nevertheless, posted a “GG, properly carried out” on Twitter/X to congratulate Firouzja.
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