Hans Niemann, an American grandmaster at chess, maintained his composure despite a damning report accusing him of using some… creative tactics to cheat in more than 100 matches.
The story that has stirred up controversy in the chess community and made international headlines is one more deserving of a Hollywood screenplay.
Since he shocked Magnus Carlsen, the world champion and a player who had dominated the game for more than ten years, the 19-year-old has been the subject of accusations of cheating.
Carlsen announced his withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup on Twitter along with a coded message that included the well-known Jose Mourinho meme: If I speak, I’m in huge danger.
Niemann has already acknowledged to using a computer to cheat between the ages of 12 and 16, but he now claims to be a changed person.
Later, Carlsen made specific accusations against the American in a statement, pointing out various abnormalities in his play that only a select few players are capable of.
The tale takes a turn here. Online, more crazier claims assert that he cheated by using vibrating anal beads.
Anal beads, indeed. Vibrating. Beads. Anal.
Most read in Sport
How? According to the rumours, a coach would be observing the game and entering precise moves into a computer, which would then send a coded message to the beads and enable Niemann to receive assistance.
The troubled adolescent even offered to play while completely undressed to show that he wasn’t lying.
Niemann replied, “I will strip completely if they want me to. “I don’t care because I am aware of my cleanliness. I don’t mind if you want me to perform in a sealed space with no electronic transmission. I’m here to win, and that will always be my objective.
The largest online chess resource, chess.com, revealed that Niemann had been banned for cheating.
The American was then the subject of a bombshell 72-page investigation that accused him of cheating more frequently and more recently than he had previously admitted to.
The chess prodigy is charged with rule-breaking as recently as 2020, with the study pointing out numerous noteworthy signs and peculiar patterns in Hans’ playing career.
In the first round of the US Chess Championship, Niemann defeated 15-year-old Christopher Yoo and remained resolute.
Niemann stated, “I believe that this game is a message to everyone.” I said at the beginning of this whole conversation that chess speaks for itself, and I believe this game did the same and revealed who I am as a chess player.
That’s all I have to say about this game; it also proved that, despite the pressure I’m under, I’m not going to back down and will play my best chess here. I’m at a loss for words; chess speaks for itself.
We can all agree that they need to investigate this further for the sake of the sport.
