Magnus Carlsen Beats Hans Niemann in First Showdown Since Cheating Scandal Amid Tech Drama
In a highly anticipated match at Chess.com’s Speed Chess Championship, Magnus Carlsen emerged victorious over Hans Niemann, securing a 17.5-12.5 win in their semi-final face-off. This was the first time the two chess grandmasters had faced each other since their infamous feud in 2022, which involved unproven cheating allegations against Niemann and a subsequent $100 million lawsuit.
The match, which was played in a hybrid format with both players sitting opposite each other but playing on separate computers, was not without its drama. Hans Niemann voiced frustration over technical difficulties, complaining about issues with his mouse and the Chess.com server, which led to one game being aborted. Despite these complaints, Magnus Carlsen held a comfortable lead, making his victory inevitable.
“There’s some resistance on my mouse when I move it… it’s something with the server and the website,” Niemann was heard saying as he struggled with the malfunction. At that point, Carlsen was already ahead by seven points, and with just three minutes remaining, the match was effectively sealed.
In response to his defeat, Hans Niemann took to social media, tweeting, “There is no excuse for defeat. I will be back stronger. Thanks to all my fans, I promise you all, I’m determined to do whatever it takes to become the best player in the world.”
Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen’s response to his victory was subtle yet playful. The Norwegian posted a GIF of NBA player Lance Stephenson blowing in LeBron James’ ear during a 2014 playoff game—a moment remembered for its humorous attempt to distract the basketball legend.
The match itself saw Carlsen dominate from the start. He took an early lead of 7-2 in the five-minute time control segment. The 3+1 section ended in a 4-4 tie, while the bullet section resulted in a 6.5-6.5 draw. However, Carlsen’s early advantage proved decisive, allowing him to comfortably clinch the win.
This match marks a significant moment in the ongoing rivalry between the two players, following the cheating controversy that erupted two years ago. At the 2022 Sinquefield Cup, Carlsen withdrew after losing to Niemann, sparking widespread speculation and accusations of cheating against the American grandmaster. While Carlsen never directly accused Niemann, Chess.com later published a report suggesting Niemann had likely cheated in over 100 online games.
In the other semi-final, Alireza Firouzja defeated Hikaru Nakamura, setting up an exciting final showdown between Firouzja and Carlsen for the Speed Chess Championship title.