In a letter addressed to me from the St Louis Chess Club (“STLCC” herein) dated February 2nd 2024, you stated that you would be “available to discuss [my circumstances] further if needed”.
Since then, I have tried on multiple occasions to contact you (or STLCC Affiliates) to discuss these matters with the intention of fixing our relationship, all of which have received responses that either lacked substance, false promises, or more frequently, no response at all. I believe that all matters can be resolved through open and honest dialogue, so please consider my last attempt at trying to address and resolve matters in this way.
It is clear that before I was officially banned, the club had shadow banned me from competing in your events. As a player that has often performed well at your events, brought significant attention to your events, and even being a player who has previously received a wildcard invitation, it appears that you have no intention of supporting one of America’s rising chess stars.
I cannot fathom how my actions have resulted in such stringent consequences when I have made multiple attempts to resolve them, some of which were already resolved privately.
In addition to this, I strongly believe that the STLCC was involved in the submission of an ethics complaint filed against me by Mr Guadalupe. This complaint was submitted with the intention of suspending my U.S. Chess license, effectively blacklisting me from all future U.S. chess events for an extended period of time.
This ethics complaint that was filed lacked substance and provided no material evidence; a reason why it was overturned and downgraded from a suspension to a warning. This ethics complaint demonstrates that greater powers are trying to purposely damage my development as a chess player and I seriously suspect that multiple entities were supportive of its filling.
Although I settled the hotel incident privately between myself and the hotel, this incident is being used in a way to cause as much damage to my career as possible. I was told by a senior Hotel staff member (the Manager of Guest Relations) that there was a “99% change that I would be allowed to return to the hotel”, only to be told two days later that the ban would remain in place, and that any further questions would need to be raised with the SLTCC.
I have since confirmed this as a news reporter asked the hotel for a statement, only to be told that they need to direct all questions to STLCC senior staff (who provided no comment). I hope that STLCC didn’t pressure or influence hotel staff into maintaining my ban as this would suggest that a resolved incident is still being used against me in efforts of justifying such disproportionate consequences.
I am unable to comprehend why an organization like STLCC would take such extreme actions against one of the very players the club aims to support. Ignoring all outreach and disregarding my attempts to resolve matters demonstrates that you have zero intention of resolving this matter amicably.
If you believe an incident like this truly deserves such punishment, I believe it is equally important to look at other aspects of my character. I have made continuous efforts to personally support chess as an industry around the world, often resulting in significant financial loss.
I have launched my own chess scholarship, I have provided grants to talented chess players globally (totalling $10,000 USD), I have donated in excess of $1,500 USD to a Nigeria charity that aims to enable children to play chess while getting improved healthcare, and I have since tipped multiple hotel staff for their services, of which now totals more than $3,000 USD.
It is clear that your actions are not only disproportionate, but are unfair, biased, and malicious. While I was publicly outed by STLCC for my actions, you have since posted a YouTube video to the STLCC YouTube channel, published on the March 14th 2024, and titled “Krush: I Once Kicked in the Walls at a Hotel | #AmericanCup”. In this video, you interview Irina Krush and make light of a similar incident she did, capturing her laughing and mocking the situation. The fact you can publicly make light of the actions of one player while you punish another for similar actions is unethical and unjust.
You saw first-hand the impact the Sinquefield Cup had on my career; I was falsely accused of cheating, banned by the world’s largest chess platform, and was the victim of a global media smear campaign that tried to destroy my chess career, life, and reputation. I fear that if clubs like SLTCC are not there to support players throughout their journey as a chess player, then who will.
Please forgive my honest and direct attitude. I want to move forwards and improve our relationship for the benefits of all parties, and for the benefit of American chess as a whole.
As previous attempts at communication have been ignored, please respond to this email no later than 10am (CT) July 8th 2024 otherwise it will be clear that you have no intention of resolving this amicably.
I look forward to hearing from you soon and putting this behind us.
Regards,
Hans Moke Niemann
4th July
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