Magnus Carlsen (31) has been very in awe of his pivotal role on the chess line over the past month. But now he has published a longer statement and is making strong accusations against 19-year-old Hans Niemann.
Updated only now
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Among other things, Carlsen writes it in a press release published on Twitter Monday evening:
“I think Niemann cheated more – even recently – than he publicly admitted.”
Carlsen’s relationship with the American has obviously been icy for some time. The two met during the Sinquefield Cup in early September. A game lost by the Norwegian world number one, of which shortly after he posted a cryptic message about it.
The drama escalated as the Norwegian retired after a move against Niemann on Monday in the Champions Chess Tour, an action Carlsen has received harsh criticism for.
“The progression was unusual”
Carlsen, 31, has he refused to elaborate on his actions.
Until yesterday, the Norwegian has hinted that he he hasn’t had a chance to tell everything about the drama in the world of chess with himself in the main role in the last meager month.
But on Monday night he turned around and made strong accusations against Niemann.
“His progression was unusual and during our match in the Sinquefield Cup I got the impression that he wasn’t even fully focused on playing in a critical position, as he played me in a way that I think only a handful of players can do.” , Carlsen further explains.
Father and manager Henrik Carlsen does not want to delve into his son’s statements to VG.
– Incredibly disappointing
Niemann himself has dismissed all allegations of cheating on the board, but admitted to having cheated on two occasions: at 12 and 16 on the Internet.
At the same time, he went on tiptoe with Carlsen after the Norwegian withdrew from the Sinquefield tournament:
– Seeing my greatest hero attempting to attack and destroy my chess career is incredibly disappointing, he said in an interview he shared on Twitter.
The Norwegian also says he knows many people are frustrated with his actions recently.
– I’m (also) frustrated. I want to play chess and play at the highest level in the best tournaments, she says.
The 31-year-old points out Monday night that he believes betrayal is an existential threat to chess. He is also aware that match and tournament organizers and anyone who cares about the game must seriously consider increasing both measures and methods of detecting cheating.
Carlsen also reveals for the first time – although his rivals have previously suggested it – that he considered retiring from the Sinquefield Cup when he learned that Niemann would race.
“We have to do something to cheat and for me going forward I don’t want to play against people who have repeatedly cheated in the past. Because I don’t know what they are capable of in the future,” writes Carlsen – and concludes:
“There is more I want to say. Unfortunately, at this point, I am prevented from saying anything without Niemann’s permission to speak completely openly. So far I have only been able to talk about my actions and those actions have made it clear that I am not willing to play chess against Niemann. I hope the truth about this case will come out, whatever it is. “
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