Hans Niemann

2022 - 9 - 7

Magnus puts the magnifying glass on cheating in chess (Economic Times)

Well, across the world in the US this week, two other (not Indian) teenage GMs joined an elite list of eight GM at two prestigious tournaments that are part of ...

The fact that many chess engines are now available on mobile phones and tablets makes them even more accessible. But here’s my question: Is it possible that today teenage GMs have better mnemonic powers complementing the engine’s undisputed computing power? Engines such as Stockfish, Rybka, Fritz, and Houdini are so strong that they can crush the strongest GMs. Well the fact is computer programs — broadly called chess engines — now play a big role in the game. Some analysts are suggesting that Niemann had prepared extensively for his game against Carlsen, accurately guessing what opening lines the world champion would play, and memorizing an engine’s response to a particular line — perhaps going up to 20 moves. I’ve always enjoyed playing in the @STLChessClub, and hope to be back in the future. At St Louis though, Niemann defeated Carlsen convincingly in the longer format of the game where the world champion is considered almost invincible. Modern computers though can crunch all this in seconds, offering best responses to every move right through the game. Well, across the world in the US this week, two other (not Indian) teenage GMs joined an elite list of eight GM at two prestigious tournaments that are part of the grand chess tour (sort of like ATP in tennis). A massive controversy has broken out in the largely staid and quiet world of chess about cheating, and how prevalent it is. He presumably got a wild card entry or a special invite to compete in such a strong field, the same way Pragg got to play in Miami. In the first event, Iran-born Alireza Firouzja, 19, won a rapid+blitz tournament in such a convincing fashion (with four rounds to spare) that left it everyone shaking their heads.

Post cover — Image courtesy of "World Chess"

Did Hans Niemann actually cheat? All the info so far (World Chess)

Yesterday, Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the Sinquefield Cup 2022 after his loss to Hans Niemann in Round 3.

[closely watches Nepo’s after-game interview](https://clips.twitch.tv/SlickNeighborlySoybeanDatBoi--HMxR9ZxHHQoJGuW) in which he comments on Carlsen-Niemann game [maybe in an ironic tone]: “It was more than impressive”! [Hikaru’s chat](https://logs.ivr.fi/?channel=gmhikaru&username=gmwso123) commenting various things, among those stating that “I wasn’t even in London in 2018”, confirming the previous point. [lost](https://worldchess.com/news/all/hans-niemann-beats-carlsen-to-cross-2700-at-the-sinquefield-cup/) to the lowest rated player, Hans Niemann in Round 3. I’m curious about the ramifications of the hints released today.” Hikaru Nakamura gets in the game and absolutely kills Niemann in his stream. He even mentions Hans’ Qg3 as “shocking”. I was thinking about it the entire game. I didn’t find ANY hint of outside help. GM Rafael Leitao backs up Niemann tweeting that “I carefully analyzed, with powerful engines, Niemann’s 2 victories in the tournament. The fourth round was indeed delayed by 15 minutes for an enhanced security check, in particular of Hans. After that, Niemann gave an [interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCeJrItfQqw) and mentioned that he “miraculously” looked at an obscure line the same morning that happened in the game and that he had only looked at it because of Magnus had played it against Wesley So in the 2018 London Chess Classic. Well, [Chessbase disagrees](https://clips.twitch.tv/KawaiiExquisiteMochaTwitchRaid-znyHqdDiWWtTuFOF) with Niemann on this, and Hikaru couldn’t leave this uncommented.

'Cheating' bombshell hits chess world after world champ quits (Fox Sports)

The American made an impassioned statement during an interview with St Louis Chess Club commentator Alejandro Ramírez after allegations swirled on social media.

He later wrote on Twitter, “Hikaru has thoroughly enjoyed watching all of my interviews and enjoyed criticizing every single detail.... It was the single biggest mistake of my life and I am completely ashamed.” I’ve always enjoyed playing in the @STLChessClub, and hope to be back in the future.” “I was just a child,” Niemann said. Niemann said there were “some insinuations” in the tweet by Carlsen and “everyone started to pile [on]”. I am proud of myself that I learned from my mistake.

Dominguez Squeezes Niemann But No Winners (Chess.com)

Just one game in round five of the 2022 Sinquefield Cup was close to seeing a winner, and that was in the encounter between the two American GMs Leinier ...

½ The 10 players compete in an all-play-all round-robin for their share of the $319,000 prize fund. It's no wonder that the level of play and combativeness of the tournament has dropped in the last two rounds. After another inaccuracy, the remainder of the advantage was gone, and Niemann could check his way to a repetition of moves. It is difficult to underestimate what impact the last couple of days have had on Niemann. Only after the 26th move did he come under the initial 90 minutes that he had been allotted at the beginning of the game. White seemed to have to pressure which eventually amounted to a pawn-win. From the reactions amongst the players, this could be a similar situation, or maybe they are just emotionally exhausted from the speculations. There seemed to be a somber mood amongst both players and commentators during the Tuesday round. [Wesley So](https://www.chess.com/players/wesley-so) remains in the lead, now with 3 points. The other three games were largely uneventful draws. Dominguez had an overwhelming position but let Niemann off the hook.

Magnus Carlsen leaves Sinquefield Cup amid Niemann chess ... (The Guardian)

The world champion withdrew from the tournament after defeat in the third round and Hikaru Nakamura said Niemann was 'probably cheating'

I shall not speculate on the reasons for his withdrawal, but probably would expect a tournament director to air them.” Emil Sutovsky, the director general of Fide, the chess governing body, dismissed suggestions that Carlsen had quit because he was a bad loser. Because it is not a big thing. “Chess.com does not discuss fair play matters publicly and, as such, we decline to comment on the happenings at Sinquefield Cup and/or any speculations made by the community,” he said. “I was struggling to even focus, I was thinking about it the entire game,” he said. It is extremely difficult to prove cheating in over-the-board chess and there is no evidence of wrongdoing on Niemann’s part at the event. “This is simply a different thing. “Magnus would never do this in a million years,” he said. “He wouldn’t do this unless he really strongly believes Hans is cheating with a very strong conviction. Niemann was asked about Carlsen’s withdrawal, but not about the cheating allegations. Nakamura, who is closely affiliated with the world’s biggest chess website, chess.com, suggested Niemann had been banned from playing online in the past. On Monday, organisers of the $500,000 (£433,000) Sinquefield Cup announced additional anti-cheating precautions, including a 15-minute delay in the broadcast of the moves and increased radio-frequency identification checks.

Top chess player Hans Niemann admits cheating in past but says he ... (The Guardian)

Hans Niemann, the 19-year-old who beat world champion Magnus Carlsen, has promised he is a reformed character after admitting cheating in the past.

And that is why I have lived in a suitcase and played 260 games in one year, trained for 12 hours a day, because I have something to prove.” I am telling the world because I don’t want misrepresentations and I don’t want rumours. “What I want people to know about this is that I am deeply, deeply sorry for my mistake. However he did admit that he had cheated in the past – first as a 12-year-old when a friend gave him some help in an online tournament and then as a 16-year-old playing unrated games while he was streaming. The Norwegian did not explain why he had taken such an unprecedented step, but announced his departure in a tweet with a video of José Mourinho saying: “If I speak I am in big trouble.” Because I know I am clean.