Chess superstar Magnus Carlsen caused a huge response at the beginning of the week with the indirect allegations of fraud against the American Hans Niemann. After two days of being in a state of emergency, Niemann has finally commented on the allegations himself – and has chosen clear words.
The last 48 hours were a real ordeal for the US chess grandmaster Hans Niemann.
After Magnus Carlsen, without a doubt the best-known and biggest star of the scene, made indirect allegations of fraud against him on Monday, Niemann was exposed to a violent shitstorm. A storm of indignation erupted on the 19-year-old, especially on social media.
On Wednesday he finally broke his silence and commented on Carlsen’s allegations and the reactions to them.
“I have a lot of things to say. I’ve thought a lot about what and how I want to say it,” explained Niemann in an interview, which the “Saint Louis Chess Club” published on its YouTube channel.
“There was much speculation and many things were said”
“Many people who I used to respect and who were my role models have decided to deny the allegations [von Carlsen] agree. There was much speculation and many things were said. But I think I’m the only one who knows the truth. And there are a few things that need to come to light,” Niemann said, annoyed by the allegations against him, which he described as absolutely baseless.
Yes, as a 12-year-old, he once used a chess computer in an online tournament against his better judgment, Niemann admitted.
Four years later he once again used technical help, but not in a ranked game: “After that I never cheated in a live game or online game. I’m proud that I learned from my mistake and everything gave for chess.”
Niemann emphasized that he would never cheat in a tournament involving prize money.
“Targeted Attack” by Magnus Carlsen in Chess Zoff?
The American described Magnus Carlsen’s tweet as a “targeted attack” on his person. “Magnus knew exactly what he was doing and what that would trigger. That led to thousands of messages being posted accusing me of cheating. People are attacking me without any evidence,” said Niemann, who is now even from the platform chess.com blocked without justification.
“I won’t let chess.com, Magnus Carlsen or Hikaru Nakamura destroy my reputation,” Niemann shot sharply at the three names that triggered or fueled the shitstorm against him.
Nakamura had more or less directly agreed to Carlsen’s allegations of fraud in his Twitch stream in front of tens of thousands of people.
Niemann was particularly angry at chess.com, because without access to the platform he can’t do his job as a chess professional as usual.
He described his ban there as “totally ridiculous. They only banned me because of what Magnus and Hikaru said. Everyone is attacking me. But I’m not going to sit here and be scared and intimidated,” Niemann rumbled.