After a year of controversy and accusations, Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann have settled their long-running cheating dispute in the world of chess. The dispute dates back to the Sinquefield Cup in September, where Carlsen accused Niemann of foul play after unexpectedly losing to him. The situation escalated when Niemann sued Carlsen, Chess.com, and another grandmaster for defamation. However, Chess.com has now declared that the dispute is resolved, Niemann’s account is restored, and Carlsen accepts that there was no cheating involved.
The agreement between Carlsen and Niemann aims to put an end to the year-long period of recriminations and unfounded claims. Carlsen, the reigning world champion, initially claimed that Niemann, then 19 years old, had cheated to defeat him at the tournament in St Louis, Missouri. Niemann did admit to cheating twice in online matches on Chess.com when he was 12 and 16 years old. However, he vehemently denied any cheating during the Sinquefield Cup or any in-person game.
Chess.com initially suspended Niemann’s account following his admission, and later released a report stating that they had evidence suggesting he had “likely” cheated in around 100 online matches. Importantly, though, the same report found no evidence of cheating in Niemann’s game against Carlsen during the tournament. The accusations sparked wild speculation on social media regarding the methods Niemann could have used to cheat in person, including the use of tiny microphones or embedded coded instructions.
In response to the allegations, Niemann filed a defamation lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages against Carlsen, Chess.com, and Hikaru Nakamura, another grandmaster who repeatedly accused Niemann of cheating. However, the case was eventually dismissed, leading to out-of-court negotiations to resolve the dispute. “Since June, both sides have negotiated privately in a good-faith effort to resolve their issues and allow the chess world to move forward without further litigation,” Chess.com stated in a release on Monday. “We are happy to share that all sides have reached an agreement.”
Chess.com stands by its report on Niemann, including the conclusion that there is no definitive evidence of cheating in any in-person games. The platform also emphasized that Niemann will be treated no differently from any other player and is welcome to participate in all events. Carlsen, on the other hand, acknowledged and understood the report, accepting that there is no decisive evidence of wrongdoing by Niemann. Furthermore, Carlsen expressed his willingness to compete against Niemann in future events should they be paired together.
Niemann expressed his satisfaction with the resolution of his lawsuit, describing it as mutually acceptable. He looks forward to competing against Carlsen on the chessboard rather than in court. Nakamura, in a YouTube video blog, expressed his relief that the chess world can now move forward. However, he hinted at the possibility of revealing the names of grandmasters who speculate about cheating in the future.
This resolution brings an end to a contentious chapter in the chess community, allowing the players involved to focus on their careers and solidify the integrity of the game. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of fair play and the need for thorough investigations before making accusations that can tarnish reputations in the chess world.
