Chess dishonest scandal: Hans Niemann sues Magnus Carlsen and chess.com for $100m

On Thursday, the U.S. teen revealed the submitting in a tweet, merely writing “My lawsuit speaks for itself”. 

He’s suing the 31-year-old five-time World Chess Champion, Chess.com and Japanese-American chess grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura amongst others for defamation over a number of hints and accusations that he was utilizing dishonest means to win matches.

Allegations

The allegations started in September quickly after the younger chess star performed in opposition to Carlsen at a significant match in St. Louis and unexpectedly defeated him. Of their subsequent recreation on the Sinquefield Cup, Carlsen pulled out after only one transfer, fueling suspicions of foul play. 

This suspicion grew when Chess.com revealed an announcement on Twitter to say that it had banned Niemann from the web site—although the positioning didn’t specify why it was banning Niemann, it stated, “We are going to all the time act to guard the integrity of the sport that all of us love.” 

Then, on Sept. 26, Carlsen revealed a full statement on Twitter immediately accusing Neimann of unfair play, claiming he “has cheated extra—and extra lately—than he has publicly admitted,” and including that Carlsen thought Niemann’s play was “uncommon” and that he “wasn’t tense and even absolutely concentrating on the sport in vital positions.” 

Different rumors circulated broadly in consequence, together with one began by chess grandmaster Eric Hansen in an internet discussion board that Niemann was utilizing anal beads that vibrated to inform him which strikes to play. 

Niemann says it “ruined his life”

Neimann’s go well with denies the allegations, and says they have been made “with none proof”, including that Carlsen had demanded the Sinquefield Cup organizers “instantly disqualify Niemann from the match.”

“Infamous for his lack of ability to deal with defeat, Carlsen snapped,” the go well with reads. “Enraged that the younger Niemann, absolutely 12 years his junior, dared to disrespect the ‘King of Chess,’ and fearful that the younger prodigy would additional blemish his multi-million greenback model by beating him once more, Carlsen viciously and maliciously retaliated in opposition to Niemann.” 

Worse, in keeping with Niemann, was Chess.com’s monetary relationship with Carlsen.

On Oct. 4, Chess.com revealed a 72-page investigation into Niemann’s play, concluding that he “possible cheated”. This, paired with Chess.com’s $82 million acquisition of Play Magnus, Carlsen’s chess-app, led to Niemann’s declare in his go well with that Carlsen teamed up with others to deliver him down. 

“[The] defamation and illegal collusion has, by design, destroyed Niemann’s exceptional profession in its prime and ruined his life,” the go well with stated. 

“Carlsen unleashed his media empire to stir up [his] dishonest accusations, drown out the authentic proof refuting them [and] blacklist Niemann from top-level chess tournaments.” 

Previous dishonest

Niemann has beforehand admitted that he had cheated twice, each of which have been on-line and when he was aged 12 and 16, however by no means at a aggressive in-person recreation. 

Attorneys for Chess.com stated in an announcement: “Hans confessed publicly to dishonest on-line within the wake of the Sinquefield Cup, and the ensuing fallout is of his personal making. As said in its October 2022 report, Chess.com had traditionally handled Hans’ prior dishonest privately, and was compelled to make clear its place solely after he spoke out publicly. There isn’t a benefit to Hans’ allegations, and Chess.com seems to be ahead to setting the document straight on behalf of its group and all sincere chess gamers.”

Carlsen is but to publicly reply to the allegations and has not responded to request for remark. 

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