The ethics and disciplinary committee of the world chess federation FIDE has sentenced Magnus Carlsen to a fine.
He should pay a fine of 10,000 euros, as FIDE explained on Wednesday (December 13, 2023). Carlsen got up from the table in a game against Hans Niemann on September 4, 2022 and left the Sinquefield Cup tournament in St. Louis, Missouri. He had accused Niemann of cheating, which Niemann denied for the specific game.
Carlsen was only guilty on one of three counts
The Ethics and Disciplinary Commission then accused Carlsen of falsely accusing Niemann of fraud and damaging his reputation. He is also said to have walked away from the tournament without a valid reason. However, the chamber only found Carlsen guilty on the last count. The suspicion of cheating has “legitimate reasons” since Niemann had at least admitted cheating in online chess games in his youth.
Niemann admitted to cheating twice in virtual tournaments when he was 12 and 16, but never in person at the chessboard. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) had also launched an investigation to clarify the case. An investigative report by the Chess.com portal suggested at the beginning of October 2022 that Niemann had probably cheated in more than 100 online games, including in prize money tournaments.
Niemann failed with his lawsuit for millions
Niemann had previously failed with a million-dollar lawsuit against Carlsen. A federal judge in Missouri court dismissed the lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages against Carlsen and others. Niemann accused the defendants of colluding to destroy his reputation and livelihood. The fraud allegations ruined his career and his life.