Entering the new calendar year, the Carlsen – Niemann cheating saga does not seem to have an outcome. The controversy started after the 19-year-old American grandmaster Hans Niemann defeated the World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen at the Sinquefield Cup 2022, consequently leading to Carlsen’s withdrawal from the tournament. Carlsen at first didn’t explain his decision to leave the event, but a month after (09/26/2022), published the official statement on the case which reads that “Niemann cheated more – and more recently – than he has publicly admitted“. Hans Niemann filed a massive lawsuit on 10/20/2022 against Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Daniel Rensch, and chess.com, seeking $400.000.000 in damages.
FIDE decided to step in and formed the investigatory panel of three members on 09/30/2022. The focus of the investigation was to check Magnus Carlsen’s claims of alleged cheating by Niemann as well as Nimeann’s self-statement regarding online cheating. FIDE Fair Play Commission today announced that the investigation on the Carlsen – Niemann case is not yet completed due to the complexity of the matter.
Statement by the Fair Play Chair on the Carlsen-Niemann investigation:
While the Carlsen-Niemann Investigatory Panel has been working very hard in the past few weeks, the investigation is not yet completed. This is due to the complexity of the matter at hand, which requires the Investigatory Panel to search for and analyze all relevant evidence, and also to consult with external experts where needed.
The IP cannot disclose the content and interim outcome of its efforts; however, the Fair Play Commission wants to reassure all interested parties and the chess community that the IP is committed to its work and that constant progress is being made. The final report will be published as soon as technically possible.
