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Hikaru Nakamura defended tossing D Gukesh's king into the crowd at an exhibition event, stating it was part of the organizers' entertainment format. He clarified it was not an insult, emphasizing the difference between a serious tournament and a purely entertainment-focused match. Nakamura also playfully suggested Gukesh could dance on the chessboard if he wins the reverse match in India.

FIDE is implementing a major rating system change from October 1, removing the 400-point rule for players rated 2650 and above. This reform means top grandmasters will gain minimal points against significantly lower-rated opponents, but face substantial penalties for draws or losses, aiming to curb "rating farming" and encourage competition among peers.