Chess drama is best drama.
in the venerable game's history. The story began at the Sinquefield Cup tournament, in which the young American player Hans Niemann had a wild card entry and was drawn against world champion Magnus Carlsen in the third round. The 19 year-old Niemann, in a tremendous upset, won the match.
Now Carlsen has moved from innuendo to outright accusation. The Norwegian world champion has accused Niemann of frequently cheating, and says he won't play against him again. "His over-the-board progress has been unusual," Carlsen continues,"and throughout our game in the Sinquefield Cup I had the impression that he wasn’t tense or even fully concentrating on the game in critical positions, while outplaying me as black in a way I only think a handful of players can do. This game contributed to changing my perspective."
The world champion goes on to say that he won't play against Niemann again."So far I have only been able to speak with my actions, and those actions have stated clearly that I am not willing to play chess with Niemann. I hope the truth on this matter comes out, whatever it may be." I mean, he's the world champion and he's just accused a young opponent of cheating. It's hard to think of why he may be holding back solid proof, if such exists, unless he wants to give Niemann the chance to confess before being damned.
Niemann has been silent since Carlsen's statement. His previous defences have been robust:"I have never ever in my life cheated in an over-the-board game. I do not want any misrepresentation. I am proud of myself that I learned from that mistake and now have given everything to chess. I have sacrificed everything for chess and I do everything I can to improve."
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
World chess champion Magnus Carlsen brands rival Hans Niemann a 'cheat'World chess champion Magnus Carlsen says he believes American teenager Hans Niemann has 'cheated more - and more recently - than he has publicly admitted'.
Read more »
Chess champion brands teen rival a cheat amid claims he used anal beads to winThe world's top chess player Magnus Carlsen branded US teen prodigy Hans Niemann a cheat amid allegations the fellow grandmaster used vibrating anal beads to win matches.
Read more »
Collusion, cheating and the Cold War: The many scandals to have rocked the world of chessFrom the infamous accusations of collusion against Soviet players in 1962 to allegations of cheating made by Magnus Carlsen, Sky News looks at the turbulent history of professional chess 👇
Read more »
World chess champion Magnus Carlsen brands rival Hans Niemann a 'cheat'World chess champion Magnus Carlsen says he believes American teenager Hans Niemann has 'cheated more - and more recently - than he has publicly admitted'.
Read more »