World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has openly accused Hans Niemann of cheating and called for increased security measures and methods of cheat detection for over the board chess.
The statement released through Twitter after Carlsen’s recent actions that stunned the world chess community.
He withdrew in the 2022 Sinquefield Cup after his loss to Niemann in the third round. A week later, he resigned against Niemann after playing only one move.
“I know that my actions have frustrated many in the chess community. I’m frustrated. I want to play chess. I want to continue to play chess at the highest level in the best events,” Carlsen said.
The Norwegian said he believes that cheating is a big deal and an existential threat to the game.
“I believe that Niemann has cheated more — and more recently — than he has publicly admitted. His over-the-board progress has been unusual, and throughout our game in the Sinquefield Cup, I had the impression that he wasn’t even tense or even fully concentrating on the game in critical positions while outplaying me as black in a way I think only a handful of players can do,” he added.
Carlsen said he doesn’t want to play against people that have cheated repeatedly in the past, “because I don’t know what they are capable of doing in the future.”
“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 that the truth on this matter comes out, whatever it may be,” he concluded.
