Chess.com Releases Report Accusing Hans Niemann Of Cheating In Over 100 Online Matches, Deepening Chess Champion Controversy

The Great Chessening of 2022 got a new wrinkle on Tuesday after Chess.com posted a massive report alleging that Hans Niemann, the young chess talent accused of cheating by the world's number 1 player (Magnus Carlsen), has cheated in over 100 online matches.

If you haven't been following the drama surrounding Niemann over the past few weeks, here's a brief summary: Hans Niemann grabbed an unexpected victory over Magnus Carlsen in St. Louis on September 4th. Carlsen withdrew from the tournament, insinuating he thought something was fishy with Niemann's victory.

Niemann then admitted to cheating twice in online matches at a young age, but insisted his "over the board" record was clear. The pair were scheduled to play an online match at a later tournament, but Carlsen resigned after one move in protest of Niemann's participation.

Finally, Carlsen formally accused Niemann of cheating in a public post. All the while, a farfetched idea that Niemann cheated by using "anal beads" that would vibrate to inform him of the perfect move drew the public's interest.

Now, Chess.com's report pokes a significant hole in Niemann's defense that he's a clean player besides the two cheating incidents he admitted to. Though the report doesn't include irrefutable evidence of cheating, its methodology points to several aspects of Niemann's games that suggest he has cheated far more than he let on.

These aspects include Niemann's uncharacteristically meteoric rise to the title of Grand Master, which has outpaced some of chess's greatest legends, including Bobby Fischer. Furthermore, in several of the games analyzed by Chess.com, Niemann's moves highly correlate to moves made by a sophisticated chess engine. Some of these games were also notably for cash prizes.

What the report doesn't provide is concrete evidence of Niemann's cheating, whether online or over the board. The report lays out a high amount of circumstantial evidence to suggest Niemann had cheated, but there is still a probability that Niemann was clean in these games — though it also states that would be statistically very unlikely.

Though some saw the report as a bombshell towards Niemann's credibility, others weren't so convinced, considering it did not answer whether Niemann cheated during the most significant match of the controversy, his September 4th head-to-head vs. Carlsen.

Did Niemann cheat in online blitz? Yes.Did he lie about the extent of it? Probably.Is he trustworthy? No.Must we presume innocence?Yes.Did he beat Magnus fairly?Yes.Was Magnus wrong to withdraw?Yes.Did Chess,com make the story about themselves?Yes.#chessdrama

— Jonathan Rowson (@Jonathan_Rowson) October 5, 2022

Let’s assume Hans Niemann is the most sophisticated cheater ever…cheating in OTB games that escape detection by prof. Regan.However, when he cheats online he just opens another browser window according to chesscom? Lol, that doesn’t sound very sophisticated to me!

— Eugene Perelshteyn (@EugenePerel) October 5, 2022

Meanwhile, Niemann is playing in the U.S. championships, where he won his first match. It would appear he did not do so with the aid of anal beads, as footage from the event shows him being rather thoroughly checked for illegal devices.

When you're Hans Niemann and have to go through security check. pic.twitter.com/Oj7v5XdkIS

— Simon (@simonlieu) October 6, 2022