Niemann vs. Carlsen

Anal balls & co.: New accusations in the chess thriller

(Bild: PIXSELL / EXPA / picturedesk.com)

The chess thriller between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann has long since become a tabloid spectacle. The game of kings, which otherwise seems outdated to some observers, is increasingly taking on a Hollywood format. It involves two opposing grandmasters, new accusations of fraud, much outrage - and even speculation about vibrating sex toys. Niemann is accused of cheating in more than 100 online games.

The focus is on two pretty brilliant players. On the one hand, Carlsen (31), Norwegian, something of a pop star at the board. On the other side, Niemann (19), US-American, something of a maverick at the board.

Magnus Carlsen

(Bild: AP)

Carlsen, who is currently at the European Club Cup in Mayrhofen in Tyrol, accuses Niemann of cheating. "I believe that cheating in chess is a big deal and an existential threat to the game. I also believe that chess organizers and all those who care about the sanctity of the game we love so much should seriously consider increasing security measures and methods for detecting cheaters at the chess board," Carlsen recently wrote in a kind of summary of his impressions of the past few weeks.

Withdrawal from the tournament
And then he took aim at the US American: "I believe that Niemann - even recently - has cheated more than he has publicly admitted." What had happened? The first incident between the two grandmasters occurred at the beginning of September. At the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, the superstar surprisingly lost to Niemann and withdrew from a tournament for the first time in his career. The Norwegian did not give any reasons at the time.

The chess scene interpreted Carlsen's withdrawal as an accusation of cheating against Niemann. But how could the rising star of the scene have done this? This is also where the Internet, with its potential for imaginative speculation, took over. After all, it would be possible to receive vibrating signals through anal beads. This could be used to plan further moves.

False tooth?
"Chess is a game with information. You don't have to predict the exact move, it's enough to indicate that a big move is imminent, i.e. something special that I have to watch out for. That's enough, a hint," explained US grandmaster Maurice Ashley, who also came up with a false tooth as a possible cheating device.

Tesla boss Elon Musk

(Bild: AFP)

Tesla boss Elon Musk found the fermenting scandal so entertaining that he modified a quote from Arthur Schopenhauer and later deleted the tweet. The "talent hits a target that no one else can hit", the genius hits "a target that no one else can see (because it's in your ass)."

Niemann went on the offensive. "If they want me to get completely naked, I'll do it," he announced. "I don't care, because I know I'm clean. They want me to play in a closed box without electronic transmission, I don't care. I'm here to win and that's my goal no matter what."

Cheating as a teenager
However, Niemann admitted in an interview during the Sinquefield Cup that he had cheated twice in online games as a teenager at the ages of twelve and 16, but never in person at the chessboard. But was there perhaps more to it than that? Niemann is said to have cheated in more than 100 online games. This emerges from an investigation report by the portal chess.com, which the "Wall Street Journal" (WSJ) reported on Tuesday. Niemann is said to have cheated many times more often than on the two occasions he himself admitted.

If they want me to get completely naked, I'll do it.

Hans Niemann

According to the WSJ, Niemann admitted to the allegations in the report and was banned from the site, which is popular with both amateurs and chess grandmasters, for some time. Niemann was last reported to have cheated in 2020, including in tournaments where prize money was at stake.

According to the WSJ, the chess.com report makes no statement as to whether Niemann also cheated in direct duels. However, there is an indication that Niemann's strongest performances merit further investigation based on the data. The World Chess Federation announced last week that it would be setting up a commission of inquiry. This thriller is therefore likely to have at least one more episode.