bbc-north.co.uk – Daily Features & Must-Read News

Hikaru Nakamura's controversial act of throwing Gukesh Dommaraju's king piece into the crowd during an exhibition match has divided the chess community. While some, like Magnus Carlsen's coach Peter Heine Nielsen and organizer Levy Rozman, defended it as an entertainment-driven, pre-planned gesture, others like Vladimir Kramnik condemned it as vulgar and damaging to the game.

From sibling rivalry in Goa to becoming the state’s second Grandmaster, 19-year-old Leon Luke Mendonca’s journey has been shaped by family sacrifice and resilience. After illness marred his Tata Steel Masters debut, the teenager rebounded with consistent performances to earn a World Cup reserve spot in Goa, underlining his persistence in chasing the next level of global chess.