Magnus Carlsen defeats Hans Niemann in Speed Chess Championship semi-final after dramatic feud

The highly anticipated semi-final of the Speed Chess Championship between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann ended with Carlsen emerging victorious with a score of 17.5-12.5. This match marked their first face off since their acrimonious feud two years ago, which involved unsubstantiated cheating allegations against Niemann that led to a $100m lawsuit from the American against the Norwegian.

The match was not without its drama, as one of the final games had to be aborted due to Niemann complaining about technical issues with his mouse and the server. Despite this setback, Carlsen maintained a commanding lead throughout the match, making his victory inevitable.

Following his defeat, Niemann took to Twitter to express his determination to bounce back stronger, stating, “There is no excuse for defeat. I will be back stronger.” In response, Carlsen posted a GIF of former NBA star Lance Stephenson playfully annoying basketball legend LeBron James, showcasing his lighthearted approach to the victory.

Carlsen dominated the match, taking a 7-2 lead in the first stage and drawing the subsequent time controls with Niemann. The victory sets up a final showdown between Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja, who defeated Hikaru Nakamura in the other semi-final.

The match between Carlsen and Niemann reignited memories of their past controversy, where allegations of cheating were made against Niemann following a game between the two players. Despite the tumultuous history between them, Carlsen’s victory in the Speed Chess Championship semi-final solidifies his position as one of the top players in the world.