Unraveling the Chess Scandal: The Origin of the Viral ‘Anal Beads’ Rumor in the Carlsen-Niemann Controversy
Title: The Scandal That Shook Chess: New Book Reveals Origin of Infamous Anal Beads Rumor
By [Your Name]
In a revelation that has reignited one of the most sensational controversies in chess history, a forthcoming book titled Checkmate by New York Times best-selling author Ben Mezrich uncovers the surprising source behind the viral rumor that Hans Niemann used vibrating anal beads to cheat in his shocking victory over Magnus Carlsen at the 2022 Sinquefield Cup.
The scandal erupted when Carlsen, the reigning world champion, suffered an unexpected defeat to the then-19-year-old American Grandmaster Niemann during the tournament held in St. Louis, Missouri. Carlsen’s abrupt withdrawal from the event, coupled with his insinuations of foul play, sent shockwaves through the chess community and beyond.
As the story unfolded, Niemann retaliated by filing a $100 million lawsuit against Carlsen, fellow chess streamer Hikaru Nakamura, and Chess.com, escalating tensions and drawing widespread media attention. However, it was the bizarre rumor about anal beads that captured the public’s imagination, morphing from a Reddit post into a global sensation.
The Troll Behind the Scandal
According to Mezrich’s book, the origin of the anal beads theory can be traced back to an anonymous internet troll from Liverpool, UK, named Steve ‘Babs’ Smyth. A railway worker by day, Smyth dabbled in online discussions, primarily focusing on political topics. However, after the Niemann scandal broke, he ventured into the ‘Anarchy Chess’ forum on Reddit, where he offered outlandish theories about how Niemann could have cheated.
Smyth’s initial suggestion of a “prostate massager” quickly morphed into the now-infamous anal beads theory, which resonated with other users and gained traction across various platforms. The theory was further popularized during a live discussion on the ‘Chessbrah’ YouTube channel, hosted by Canadian Grandmasters Eric Hansen and Aman Hambleton.
“This hilarious internet troll just knew that anything involving the rectum could make this story international,” Mezrich told the New York Post. “Without the anal beads, I believe this story would’ve just disappeared.”
A Viral Sensation
The rumor took on a life of its own, amplified by social media and even attracting the attention of high-profile figures like Elon Musk, who shared memes and jokes about the scandal. The absurdity of the claim, combined with the serious implications of cheating in chess, created a perfect storm that captivated audiences worldwide.
Mezrich, known for his knack for turning real-life events into compelling narratives, suggests that Smyth’s antics reflect a broader issue in today’s digital landscape. “This is a guy who just tries to get things to go viral. It’s almost a perfect encapsulation of what’s wrong with everything today,” he remarked in an interview with Chess.com.
As the chess world continues to grapple with the fallout from the scandal, Checkmate promises to shed light on the bizarre intersection of sport, rumor, and the internet age. The ebook was released on April 7, while the hardcover edition is set to hit shelves on June 2.
The scandal has also inspired a recent Netflix documentary titled Untold: Chess Mates, featuring interviews with both Carlsen and Niemann, as well as Nakamura, further cementing its place in the annals of chess history.
As the story unfolds, one thing is clear: the chess community will never look at a game the same way again.
First Published: June 02, 2026, 07:00 IST