Magnus Carlsen Reveals Shocking Details on Hans Niemann’s Cheating Controversy

Chess fans around the world were left in shock when Jan Henric Buettner announced the participation of Hans Niemann at the upcoming Paris Freestyle Grand Slam event in April. The decision was met with mixed reactions, especially since co-owner Magnus Carlsen, who finished third at Weissenhaus, was initially against the idea but eventually accepted it.

The history between Carlsen and Niemann dates back to September 2022 when Carlsen accused Niemann of cheating at the Sinquefield Cup without providing evidence. Niemann denied the allegations but admitted to cheating in casual online games as a teenager. A Chess.com investigation report suggested that Niemann likely cheated in over 100 online games. Despite the controversy, a legal settlement was reached between all parties involved.

Recently, Carlsen appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast and hinted at revealing more details about the cheating controversy in an upcoming Netflix documentary. He addressed the viral accusation that Niemann used anal beads to cheat, stating that while he didn’t believe it, there were other ways Niemann could have cheated. The controversy surrounding Niemann’s alleged cheating methods had caused a stir on social media.

Carlsen expressed his suspicions about Niemann’s playing style, noting that there were several factors that made him doubtful. He mentioned that top players still harbor mistrust towards Niemann, despite the legal settlement. Rogan questioned Carlsen about how a chess player could cheat in a top-level tournament, to which Carlsen mentioned the possibility of using an invisible earpiece.

Niemann, currently ranked 18th in the latest FIDE standings with a rating of 2734, has claimed that the controversy has affected his chess career, leading to fewer tournament invites. The upcoming Paris Freestyle Grand Slam event will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and players alike, eager to see how the situation unfolds.