Carlsen argued that deception is an existential threat to chess. Photo REUTERS / Anton Vaganov
The scandal in which the chess elite has fallen due to the suspicions of fraud that weigh on the young American grandmaster hans niemannthen from his victory in the third round of the Sinquefield Cup On Magnus Carlson, added a new chapter this Monday. And it was the Norwegian himself, the current world champion, who added fuel to the fire by assuring in a statement that the American “He cheated more – and more recently – than he publicly admitted.”.
In a letter to his “beloved world of chess”, Carlsen wrote: “Nel Sinquefield Cup 2022 I made the unprecedented professional decision to withdraw from the tournament after my third round match against Hans Niemann. A week later, during the Chess Tour of ChampionsI gave up on Niemann after just one move. “
“I know my actions have frustrated many in the chess community. I am frustrated. I want to play chess. I want to continue playing chess at the highest level in the best events,” he added.
Carlsen stated that “cheating in chess is a big problem and an existential threat to the game”. “I also believe that chess organizers and anyone who cares about the sanctity of the game we love should seriously consider increasing the security measures and cheat detection methods on the board,” she stressed.
The world champion acknowledged that when Niemann – who had previously been accused of cheating in online games – was invited to the Sinquefield Cup at the last minute, he seriously considered retiring before the tournament; but that he ultimately chose to play.
In that tournament, which took place in St. Louis (United States), the 19-year-old American won with black chips and cut the “King of the Boards” unbeaten for two years and 53 wins in scheduled games.
“I think Niemann cheated more – and more recently – than he publicly admitted. His progress on the scoreboard was unusual and during our game in the Sinquefield Cup I got the impression that he wasn’t tense or even fully focused on playing. in critical positions as he beat me with black in a way that I think only a handful of players can. That game helped change my perspective, “said Carlsen.
“We have to do something to cheat and for my part I don’t want to play against people who have repeatedly cheated in the past because I don’t know what they will be capable of in the future,” he continued.
“There are other things I would like to say. Unfortunately, at this time I am limited in what I can say without Niemann’s explicit permission to speak openly. So far I have only been able to speak with my actions, and those actions are clearly ha said that I am not willing to play chess with Niemann. I hope that the truth about this matter will come to light, whatever it is “, concluded the Norwegian, who until now had not made any explicit accusations against his colleague and rival.
The scandal that shook chess
On 19 September Carlsen abandoned his game for the sixth round of the tournament after just one move Julius Baer Generation Cup against Niemann, the same rival against whom, two weeks earlier, he had lost in Sinquefield Cup in a classic rhythm game.
The day after that defeat in St Louis, the Norwegian withdrew from the tournament. While not explaining why, everyone understood that it was due to his rival’s suspicions of cheating when he verified that he was playing at full capacity against a rare Nimzo-Indian variant for which he had expressly prepared that game. .
“I have retired from the tournament. I have always enjoyed playing at the St Louis Chess Club and hope to return in the future,” Carlsen wrote on his Twitter account at the time.
The message hinted that there was something else behind it, because it was accompanied by an old video of José Mourinhoin which the Portuguese football manager said: “I’d rather not talk. If I talk, I’ll get in trouble. And I don’t want to be in trouble.”.
The American claimed to have casually reviewed that line a few hours before the game. But Carlsen’s tweet went viral and speculations began, which quickly turned into suspicions about Niemann’s behavior. A very popular theory on social networks, which was even supported by Elon Muskis that Niemann used the anal basins, a wireless device that would allow him to receive the movements to be made through vibrations in Morse code.
“It must be embarrassing for the world champion to lose to an idiot like me,” said the American. And he defended himself from the accusations: “If they want me to undress completely, I’ll do it. I don’t care. Because I know I’m clean.”
Niemann also confessed to playing dirty online games when he was 12 and 16. “I betrayed. They confronted me. I confessed. It was the biggest mistake of my life and I am completely ashamed of it. I tell this to the world because I don’t want confusion or rumors. I have never betrayed in a game at sea.”
The new fight between Carlsen and Niemann, online and about two weeks after the one in St. Louis, lent itself to every kind of option: from a normal game to the refusal of the world champion to play against Niemann. What hardly anyone expected is that the world champion would show up to play but leave before making his second move, giving the point to his rival.
After that surprise abandonment, the Norwegian did not speak. “I’m not going to comment on it,” he said days later, after winning a match in the same tournament.
This Monday he broke the silence, directly accused Niemann of cheating for the first time and fueled the flames of a controversy that continues to shake the elite chess.
Source: Clarin
