Chess explodes as world champion accuses opponent of cheating

pcgamer.com:

The chess world has spent the month of September embroiled in what is already one of the biggest cheating scandals(opens in new tab) in the venerable game's history. The story began at the Sinquefield Cup tournament, in which the young American player Hans Niemann had a wild card entry and was drawn against world champion Magnus Carlsen in the third round. The 19 year-old Niemann, in a tremendous upset, won the match.

Shortly afterwards, Carlsen withdrew from the tournament. He posted a meme of football coach Jose Mourinho saying «I prefer really not to speak. If I speak I am in big trouble...» But the news quickly spread through rumours and proxies like American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura: Carlsen believed Niemann had cheated. But he didn't come out and say so. The British grandmaster Nigel Short described the situation, not unfairly, as «death by innuendo» for Niemann, who nevertheless defended himself robustly.

Things ticked along before coming to a head when Carlsen was drawn against Niemann in an online tournament, and resigned after one move, leaving the game immediately afterwards. This gesture of contempt whipped the speculation about Niemann into a frenzy.

Now Carlsen has moved from innuendo to outright accusation. The Norwegian world champion has accused Niemann of frequently cheating, and says he won't play against him again.

«I know that my actions have frustrated many in the chess community. I’m frustrated. I want to play chess at the highest level in the best events,» Carlsen's statement reads.

«When Niemann was invited last minute to the 2022 Sinquefield Cup, I strongly considered withdrawing prior to the event. I ultimately chose to play. I believe that Niemann has cheated more—and more recently—than he