There is a new twist in the huge scandal that has engulfed chess, with it being reported that Hans Niemann may have received illegal help in more than 100 online games.
If true, the US grandmaster has cheated far more frequently than has been revealed.
This comes from a 72-page report by Chess.com, accessed by the Wall Street Journal.
Carlsen’s accusations against Niemann
Suspicions surrounding the 19-year-old leapt into the international press when world champion Magnus Carlsen first suggested and then publicly accused, via a statement on his social media, that he was winning by illegitimate means.
The Norwegian was convinced that the opponent who beat him in the Sinquefield Cup and against whom he retired from the Champions Chess Tour after just one move was cheating.
In that statement, Carlsen acknowledged that he wanted to continue playing chess, but that cheating is an existential threat to the game.
He said he almost withdrew from the Sinquefield Cup when he found out that Niemann – invited at the last minute – would be playing and that he believes Niemann has cheated more times than he admits, and more recently.
Niemann defends himself
Niemann has denied the accusations that he is a cheater, although he confessed to having violated the rules of fair play at least twice in the past using the help of chess engines, first at the age of 12 in an online tournament and then at 16.
However, this recent investigation, which was made public on Tuesday night, stated that Niemann privately confessed to the allegations, and was subsequently banned for a time from Chess.com, the world’s most popular chess platform.
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