After a controversial decision
Dispute at World Chess Championship escalates
Jan 3, 2025 – 7:47 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
The historic result of the World Blitz Chess Championship sparked anger among one player. After an argument, he has now stepped up against Magnus Carlsen.
Does this fight never end? It currently looks like the result of the World Blitz Chess Championship will continue to cause discussions. Especially with one player: Hans Niemann. The American lost to Magnus Carlsen in the quarterfinals. The latter was crowned world champion, as was the Russian Jan Nepomnjaschtschi.
It happened like this: Because the score was 2-2 after four games and three sudden-death games ended in a draw, Carlsen spontaneously offered his counterpart to share the World Cup title. The world association Fide examined the proposal – and gave its approval a short time later. Niemann then commented on Platform X: “The chess world is officially a joke.”
Niemann also followed up and commented on a video in which you can see and hear Carlsen talking to his opponent Jan Nepomnjaschtschi from Russia about the outcome of the game and a suggestion to the umbrella organization Fide. Carlsen said: “If they refuse, then we can just play short draws until they give up.” After Niemann’s comments on X, Carlsen countered his rival’s allegations of cheating.
The Norwegian also wrote on the platform: “I have never agreed a draw in advance in my career.” The dispute escalated again on Thursday evening. Niemann is back in touch and commented on Remember that no player is above the game.”
Unlike his long-time friend Nepomnjaschtschi, Carlsen has been in close hostility with the 21-year-old Niemann for some time. In 2022, both had a high-profile argument over allegations of fraud against Niemann. Among other things, he took legal action against Carlsen for defamation – and lost.