Magnus Carlsen Claims He Was “Gaslit” by Chess.com Over Niemann Cheating Allegations in New Netflix Documentary

Magnus Carlsen Claims He Was “Gaslit” by Chess.com in New Netflix Documentary

In a revealing moment from the recently released Netflix documentary Untold: Chess Mates, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen has claimed he felt “gaslit” by Chess.com amid the fallout from the 2022 cheating scandal involving American Grandmaster Hans Niemann. The documentary delves into the dramatic events surrounding the Sinquefield Cup, where allegations of cheating rocked the chess community.

Carlsen, a five-time world champion, expressed his frustration during the documentary, stating, “I felt that I’d sort of been gaslit a bit by Chess.com.” His comments come after Chess.com co-founders Danny Rensch and Erik Allebest assured him they would uncover evidence to support his accusations against Niemann, who was just 19 at the time of the scandal.

Despite Niemann’s admission of cheating in online games during his youth, Chess.com found no evidence of wrongdoing in over-the-board competitions, including the pivotal Sinquefield Cup held in St. Louis, USA. This lack of evidence left Carlsen feeling betrayed and misled.

Adding to the controversy, Carlsen’s father, Henrik, suggested that Chess.com may have overpromised in their commitment to support Carlsen’s claims. “In retrospect, maybe Chess.com was so concerned about their relationship to Magnus that they might have promised a little more than they can deliver,” he said.

However, a four-year-old comment from Rensch on Reddit has resurfaced, casting doubt on Carlsen’s assertion of being gaslit. In the post, Rensch stated that Carlsen had not seen Chess.com’s cheat detection algorithms and was not provided with a list of known cheaters. “MAGNUS has NOT seen chesscom cheat detection algorithms,” Rensch wrote, emphasizing that Carlsen acted solely on his own knowledge.

This contradiction has sparked debate among chess enthusiasts and commentators, with many questioning the validity of Carlsen’s claims in light of Rensch’s earlier statements.

The documentary not only highlights the intense rivalry between Carlsen and Niemann but also raises questions about the integrity of the chess community and the role of online platforms in maintaining fair play. As the fallout from the scandal continues, the chess world watches closely to see how these revelations will impact the future of the game.

As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen whether this documentary will lead to further investigations or changes within the chess community regarding cheating allegations and the responsibilities of online platforms.