A chess grandmaster who defeated the world champion is accused of cheating “more than 100 times” in his career.
At the age of 19, Hans Mok Niemann sensationally defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen earlier this year.
the upset rocked the chess world to its core and resulted in rumors that Niemann had somehow cheated his way to victory.
A wild theory suggested vibrating anal beads could be his tactic.
Locked up deep within him, they passed through airport-style tournament security and, while monitored by his coach watching the match, vibrate gently to let him know what moves to make.
Neimann didn’t help his case when he stated that he would play naked as a way to prove his innocence.
Unfortunately for him, an extensive 72-page investigation of Neimann by Chess.com has made some damning claims.
It says the chess prodigy broke the rules in tournaments as recently as 2020, noting “lots of remarkable signals and unusual patterns in Hans’ path as a player.”
In fact, the report (which was obtained by the WSJ) says Neimann used illegal computer tools to get help with more than 100 online games on his way to the top. Many of these tournaments include cash prizes, it added.
Neimann was removed from the site in 2020 for “blatant deception.”
He has not released a statement on the report at this time.
‘Outside his online game, Hans is the fastest rising top player in Classic’ [over-the-board] chess in modern history,” the report reads from Chess.com.
‘Purely looking at rating, Hans should be counted among this group of young top players. While we have no doubt that Hans is a talented player, we note that his results are statistically extraordinary.’
The world of chess is divided over Niemann’s abilities.
Some other chess professionals have defended him, calling the charges a “witch hunt.”
Of the 10 players who entered the Sinquefield Cup, Niemann was the lowest rated and the least likely to beat Magnus Carlsen, who had been undefeated for two years.
Aside from the ridiculous anal beading theory, some people suspect that Niemann got his hands on Carlsen’s game plan ahead of time, anticipating his surprise opening.
While we may not know whether anal beads pose a risk to the integrity of chess, advances in materials science and artificial intelligence could mean checking for ingenious inventions such as “smart clothes” that transmit messages through fabric.
LAKE : Chess world rocked by rumors of anal beads and artificial intelligence
LAKE : Chess robot breaks boy’s finger because it was his turn too soon