Hans Niemann has been accused of cheating by world chess champion Magnus Carlsen
(Picture: INSTAGRAM)Hans Niemann may have cheated in more than 100 chess games, an investigation has found, after the teen was accused of foul play by world number one Magnus Carlsen.
Chess.com said it is “likely” the US player acted outside of the rules "much more often" during online games than he has previously admitted to.
Mr Carlsen withdrew from a tournament in August after Mr Niemann dominated him using the unfavoured black pieces.
The world champion later posted on social media that he thought the American cheated more frequently and recently than in the online games he admitted to - including in their Sinquefield Cup encouner over the board.
The Norwegian spoke out after he withdrew from a September online game against Mr Niemann after only one move had been made.
Mr Carlsen claimed his rival did not appear “tense” and was not “fully concentrating on the game in critical positions” when they faced off in the St Louis game.
Mr Carlsen’s allegations were unfounded at the time and the teenage player defended himself, saying he would even play naked if it meant his name could be cleared.
On Tuesday, Chess.com revealed their own probe found Mr Niemann may have cheated as recently as 2020 and won prize money during a fraudulent game.
"Overall, we have found that Hans has likely cheated in more than 100 online chess games, including several prize money events,” the report said.
However, there was no evidence in their 72-page report that he cheated while playing in person or in any game against Mr Carlsen.
Chess.com said that the win against Mr Carlsen in St Louis was “statistically extraordinary,” and that Mr Niemann’s rise to the world’s top 50 was the fastest in modern history and at a later age than other high-flying juniors.
Mr Carlsen claimed to have had his suspicions as Mr Niemann’s ranking rose and rose.
He wrote: “I believe that cheating in chess is a big deal and an existential threat to the game. I also believe that chess organizers (sic) and all those who care about the sanctity of the game we love should seriously consider increasing security measures and methods of cheat detection for over the board chess.”
Mr Niemann admitted to cheating in online games when he was younger but has said those days are long behind him. He said: "I don't care [about the allegations] because I know I am clean.
“You want me to play in a closed box with zero electronic transmission, I don't care. I'm here to win and that is my goal regardless."
