The world of chess has lurched further into turmoil and rancour after an investigation found the American teenager Hans Niemann has benefited from “illegal assistance” in more than 100 online games – while four of the world’s top 100 grandmasters have also privately confessed to cheating.
The 72-page report by Chess.com is the latest twist in a saga that began more than a month ago when world champion Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the $500,000 Sinquefield Cup after losing to Niemann, before dropping coy hints that his opponent may have cheated.
