Hikaru Nakamura Critiques Netflix’s Chess Documentary on Cheating Scandal
Hikaru Nakamura Unimpressed by Netflix’s “Untold: Chess Mates” Documentary
April 27, 2026, 14:41 IST
In the world of chess, where strategy and intellect reign supreme, the recent Netflix documentary “Untold: Chess Mates” has stirred up quite the controversy. World No.2 Hikaru Nakamura has voiced his disappointment with the film, which delves into the infamous cheating scandal that shook the chess community to its core.
The documentary revisits the dramatic events of the 2022 Sinquefield Cup, where World No.1 Magnus Carlsen withdrew after a shocking defeat to then-19-year-old Hans Niemann. Carlsen’s abrupt exit was widely interpreted as an implicit accusation of cheating against Niemann, a sentiment that was further amplified when Carlsen resigned after just one move in their subsequent match. This led to a $100 million lawsuit from Niemann, which was eventually settled, but the scandal left an indelible mark on the chess world.
Featuring interviews with Carlsen, Niemann, and others—including Nakamura—the documentary aims to provide a comprehensive look at the scandal, Niemann’s comeback, and their anticipated rematch in 2024. However, Nakamura’s experience with the film was far from satisfactory.
“I watched it at 1.5x speed and I wasn’t very impressed,” Nakamura shared during a recent live stream. “I actually gave the Netflix team a full day, over eight hours of footage of me talking about a lot of these things. But in the end, I think I was only in it for about three minutes.”
Nakamura expressed frustration not only with his limited screen time but also with the overall narrative of the documentary. “It didn’t really feel very inspiring. Honestly, I was just very confused by it,” he added.
In a surprising revelation, Nakamura confirmed that none of the participants were compensated for their contributions to the film. “There’s no money going to anybody for doing this. I’ve seen people assume that everyone got paid, but that’s not the case at all,” he clarified.
The reception to “Untold: Chess Mates” has been mixed, with some praising its production quality and accessibility, while others, like Nakamura, have criticized its lack of depth and focus. As the chess community continues to grapple with the fallout from the scandal, Nakamura’s candid feedback serves as a reminder of the complexities and nuances that often get lost in sensational storytelling.
As the chess world looks ahead to the future, including the highly anticipated rematch between Carlsen and Niemann, one thing remains clear: the narrative surrounding this scandal is far from over.