'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
GMHikaru comments on IShowSpeed and Manny Pacquiao's chess game getting more viewers than World Chess Championship
Twitch streamer and GM Hikaru Nakamura or "GMHikaru" reacted to YouTube streamer "IShowSpeed" taking on former professional boxer Manny Pacquiao in a game of chess during the former's visit to the Philippines. The stream ended up garnering a concurrent viewership of over 250K. Speaking about Speed's match against Pacquiao, GMHikaru said:
"Many of you are probably familiar with IShowSpeed, who's done a lot of tours. He was in Europe recently, and now I believe is in Southeast Asia. There are many people who follow his streams and he's extremely entertaining."
GMHikaru commented how even the World Chess Championship or the ongoing Chess Olympiad 2024 (both featuring some of the biggest names in the chess scene) could not match IShowSpeed's streaming numbers. He said:
"The game they played on YouTube in front of more than 250K people (viewers). Now to give you guys an example of how massive that is, when you look at the World Chess Championships or the Chess Olympiad, the numbers of such pitiful events do not matter whatsoever. All anybody wants to see is celebrities playing chess, not these random Grandmasters who have wasted their entire lives."
Who won the chess match between IShowSpeed and Manny Pacquiao?
YouTube streamer IShowSpeed's recent South Asian stream was quite eventful, with him participating in various activities, including the Gumball 3000 event. However, his visit to the Philippines stood out, as an unexpected moment occurred, with Manny Pacquiao challenging him to a game of chess.
While Speed has played chess a few times on stream, he is still a beginner, whereas Pacquiao has a little more experience (reportedly, his rating is at Masters level). As expected, the match was one-sided, with the streamer losing all his pieces and ultimately being checkmated by a pawn.
GMHikaru wasn't the only chess creator to comment on the match. Levy "GothamChess" also weighed in, labeling the match between the two as a "fascinating collaboration." He said:
"The most viewed chess match of 2024 just happened and it is not anything you would expect. One of the most fascinating collaborations that I have seen in my life."
As mentioned, IShowSpeed is currently on his first-ever South Asian tour. The streamer has already visited Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. His next destination is reportedly Singapore.
Trending
