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→Analysis of play by Hans Niemann in Sinquefield Cup
[[File:MagnusCarlsen24.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|[[Magnus Carlsen]] is the reigning Chess World Cup Champion.]]
<center>''[[Chess]] champion [[Magnus Carlsen]]'s strong statement is available [https://twitter.com/MagnusCarlsen/status/1574482694406565888?ftag=MSF0951a18 here]''.</center>
<center>''[[Chess]] champion [[Magnus Carlsen]]'s strong statement is available [https://twitter.com/MagnusCarlsen/status/1574482694406565888?ftag=MSF0951a18 here]''.</center>
The '''chess cheating scandal''' of 2022 concerned a highly unlikely ostensible victory on September 4 by a 19-year-old relatively low-ranked player named Hans Niemann, playing with the weaker black pieces, against the greatest player of our time, [[Magnus Carlsen]], while Carlsen was on an unbeaten streak. This was the second improbable defeat by Niemann with the black pieces against Carlsen in merely a few months, and the second consecutive improbable win by Niemann against a higher-ranked player in the tournament. Carlsen then quit the [[chess]] tournament (the [[Sinquefield Cup]] 2022), which is nearly unprecedented, and it was inferred that Carlsen felt he had been cheated by Niemann, which Niemann denied.
The '''chess cheating scandal''' of 2022 concerned a highly unlikely ostensible victory on September 4 by a 19-year-old relatively low-ranked player named Hans Niemann, playing with the weaker black pieces, against the greatest player of our time, [[Magnus Carlsen]], while Carlsen was on an unbeaten streak. This was the second improbable defeat by Niemann with the black pieces against Carlsen in merely a few months, and the second consecutive improbable win by Niemann against a higher-ranked player in the same tournament. Carlsen then quit the [[chess]] tournament (the [[Sinquefield Cup]] 2022), which is nearly unprecedented, and it was inferred that Carlsen felt he had been cheated by Niemann, which Niemann denied. ''See [[Magnus-Niemann chess match]]''.
The odds of a player of Niemann's lower rank defeating the high-ranking Carlsen twice with the black pieces is estimated to be only 1 in 2,500. In addition, in the game at the Sinquefield Cup prior to his reported victory over Carlsen, Niemann was far behind on time but made a string of perfect moves to improbably defeat the #14 player in the world, [[Shakhriyar Mamedyarov]]. The [[Saint Louis Chess Club]] had refused a request by the #2 player in the world, Ian "Nepo" Nepomniachtchi, for tighter security against possible cheating by Niemann.<ref>https://new.chess24.com/en/wall/news/nepo-asked-for-extra-measures-against-niemann-in-st-louis</ref> Then, after tighter security measures were finally installed by the chess club, Niemann was unable to win another game.
The odds of a player of Niemann's lower rank defeating the high-ranking Carlsen twice with the black pieces is estimated to be only 1 in 2,500. In addition, in the game at the Sinquefield Cup prior to his reported victory over Carlsen, Niemann was far behind on time but made a string of perfect moves to improbably defeat the #14 player in the world, [[Shakhriyar Mamedyarov]]. The [[Saint Louis Chess Club]] had refused a request by the #2 player in the world, Ian "Nepo" Nepomniachtchi, for tighter security against possible cheating by Niemann.<ref>https://new.chess24.com/en/wall/news/nepo-asked-for-extra-measures-against-niemann-in-st-louis</ref> Then, after tighter security measures were finally installed by the chess club, Niemann was unable to win another game.
*harmless mistakes that matter little in the game but which lower the overall accuracy rating compared with computer-directed moves;
*harmless mistakes that matter little in the game but which lower the overall accuracy rating compared with computer-directed moves;
*running down one's own clock unnecessarily, as the computer-generated moves are instantaneous;
*running down one's own clock unnecessarily, as the computer-generated moves are instantaneous;
*spacing the brilliant computer-generated moves, and pushing them more towards the end of the game; and
*spacing the brilliant computer-generated moves, and pushing them more towards the end of the game;
*avoid any blunders in a game based on computer guidance; and/or
*using novel or less-common openings.
*using novel or less-common openings.
As explained in ''[[Forbes]]'':
{{cquote|The world’s strongest grandmasters would only need the help of a chess engine for a few moves during a long game to have an immense edge against their opponent of roughly equal strength. Many grandmasters say very subtle cheating by a top player could evade statistical analysis of their gameplay.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/betting/chess/hans-niemann-magnus-carlsen/</ref>}}
== Analysis of play by Hans Niemann in Sinquefield Cup ==
== Analysis of play by Hans Niemann in Sinquefield Cup ==
[[Image:Staunton chess set.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A typical chess set and tournament clock.]]
In the improbable back-to-back victories by Hans Niemann in the Sinquefield Cup 2022, his endgame "play" was extraordinary in both games against more highly rated opponents, before stricter controls against possible cheating were installed by the tournament organizers.
In the improbable back-to-back victories by Hans Niemann in the Sinquefield Cup 2022, his endgame "play" was extraordinary in both games against more highly rated opponents, before stricter controls against possible cheating were installed by the tournament organizers.
*Hans has admitted to cheating online.
*Hans has admitted to cheating online.
*at one point, Hans played 4 members of the finest chess players in the world (ratings above 2800 club in a row), easily defeating 3 out of 4 and tying the 4th while nearly defeating him.<ref>https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/do-you-think-hans-is-cheating</ref>
*at one point, Hans played 4 members of the finest chess players in the world (ratings above 2800 club in a row), easily defeating 3 out of 4 and tying the 4th while nearly defeating him.<ref>https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/do-you-think-hans-is-cheating</ref>
==Reaction of other top players==
As reported by ChessBase on October 4, 2022:
{{cquote|the [[Wall Street Journal]] published a lengthy article sharing the findings emerging from an investigation conducted by chess.com. According to the piece, chess.com asserts that Hans Niemann “likely received illegal assistance in more than 100 online games, as recently as 2020”, including in many tournaments with prize money on the line.<ref>https://en.chessbase.com/post/wall-street-journal-niemann-likely-cheated</ref>}}
==Reaction by other top players==
The popular streamer [[Hikaru Nakamura]] was critical of Niemann. On September 26, 2022, after [[Magnus Carlsen]] made his strong statement, Nakamura stated:
The popular streamer [[Hikaru Nakamura]] was critical of Niemann. On September 26, 2022, after [[Magnus Carlsen]] made his strong statement, Nakamura stated:
{{cquote|I would also say it is extremely clear in this letter that Magnus put out that basically Magnus has something, who knows what he has. ... The ball is very clearly in Hans’ court now. What will Hans do here is the big question.<ref>https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/chess/the-ball-is-very-clearly-in-hans-court-says-gm-nakamura-after-carlsens-statement-8175172/</ref>}}
{{cquote|I would also say it is extremely clear in this letter that Magnus put out that basically Magnus has something, who knows what he has. ... The ball is very clearly in Hans’ court now. What will Hans do here is the big question.<ref>https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/chess/the-ball-is-very-clearly-in-hans-court-says-gm-nakamura-after-carlsens-statement-8175172/</ref>}}
Amid silence by Hans Niemann immediately following [[Magnus Carlsen]]'s accusation on September 26, 2022, of cheating, Hikaru Nakamura said:
{{cquote|If Hans doesn’t say anything, the way I see it, it feels like he’s admitting something.}}
Another top player, Levon Aronian, was initially defending Niemann but many days later "gave a rather different comment this time in the official broadcast:"<ref>https://www.chess.com/news/view/2022-julius-baer-generation-cup-day-2</ref> Aronian played to a draw against Niemann in Round 1 of the [[Sinquefield Cup]] 2022, before the enhanced security measures were installed and Niemann played with an astounding accuracy of 95.5, with the white pieces.
In the next tournament, the Julius Baer Generation Cup 2022, on Day 3 Niemann defeated Aronian in a mere 21 moves, which is highly unusual, and the game is said to have been lost after merely 14 moves. According to Chess Network, "Niemann's play was exceptional in the eyes of the computer, with some moves being described by Aronian after the game as 'strange'."<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIP2AlQ9gmM</ref>
== Reaction by FIDE ==
== Reaction by FIDE ==
The governing body of chess, FIDE, issued a weak, middle-of-the-road style of statement reminding everyone that the Sinquefield Cup was not an FIDE event, and that FIDE does oppose cheating in chess.<ref>https://www.fide.com/news/1999</ref> The FIDE failed to support [[Magnus Carlsen]] as much as it should have, as Carlsen takes a strong stance against cheating in chess.
The governing body of chess, FIDE, issued a weak, middle-of-the-road style of statement reminding everyone that the Sinquefield Cup was not an FIDE event, and that FIDE does oppose cheating in chess.<ref>https://www.fide.com/news/1999</ref> The FIDE failed to support [[Magnus Carlsen]] as much as it should have, as Carlsen takes a strong stance against cheating in chess.
After Carlsen released his full statement accusing Niemann of cheating, FIDE announced on September 30, 2022, its formation of a 3-person ad hoc committee to investigate.<ref>https://www.chessdom.com/fides-fair-play-commission-forms-the-investigatory-panel-for-the-carlsen-niemann-controversy/</ref>
== Reaction by Liberal Media ==
== Reaction by Liberal Media ==
The [[liberal media]] tended to criticize the defender of integrity in [[chess]], [[Magnus Carlsen]].<ref>https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/columns/2022/09/23/magnus-carlsen-arguably-the-goat-of-the-chess-world-needs-to-back-up-his-recent-moves/69511016007/</ref>
The [[liberal media]] tended to criticize the defender of integrity in [[chess]], [[Magnus Carlsen]].<ref>https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/columns/2022/09/23/magnus-carlsen-arguably-the-goat-of-the-chess-world-needs-to-back-up-his-recent-moves/69511016007/</ref>
== Frivolous lawsuit by Niemann ==
On Oct. 20, 2022, Niemann and a top [[New York City]] law firm sued the following entities and individuals for an absurd figure of $100 million, in federal court in the Eastern District of Missouri:
*[[Magnus Carlsen]]
*Play Magnus dba Play Magnus Group
*Chess.com
*Danny Rensch
*[[Hikaru Nakamura]]
The lawsuit claims four times that Plaintiff Niemann is a "prodigy" at [[chess]], and asserts five frivolous -- but intimidating -- causes of action:
*slander
*libel
*violation of the Section One [[Sherman Act]] ([[antitrust]] law)
*tortious interference
*civil conspiracy
The lawsuit alleges that "Notorious for his inability to cope with defeat, Carlsen snapped" when Niemann ostensibly defeated Carlsen by playing near-perfect chess with the black pieces and merely a harmless error near the end of the match.
As of October 22, the case had not been assigned to a district court judge, but a magistrate judge has granted motion for the [[New York City]] law firm to pursue the case in the courtroom in [[St. Louis]].
An analysis on Bloomberg of similar cases brought in the past indicates that it is unlikely the plaintiff would prevail.<ref>https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-10-23/hans-niemann-s-100-million-chess-lawsuit-will-be-tough-to-win</ref>
===Response by Chess.com===
As posted by defendant Chess.com in response to the lawsuit, on its website:
{{cquote|Hans confessed publicly to cheating online in the wake of the [[Sinquefield Cup]], and resulting fallout is of his own making. As stated in its October 2022 report, Chess.com had historically dealt with Hans’ prior cheating privately, and was forced to clarify its position only after he spoke out publicly.
There is no merit to Hans’ allegations, and Chess.com looks forward to setting the record straight on behalf of its team and all honest chess players.<ref>https://www.chess.com/news/view/niemann-files-100-million-defamation-lawsuit</ref>}}
===Amendment by Niemann===
Niemann amended his complaint in January 2023, by adding a bizarre allegation that [[Magnus Carlsen]] had paid a fellow [[Norway|Norwegian]] to shout an accusation of cheater at Niemann, in Norwegian, at the end of a [[chess]] tournament. But the specifically spelled word as alleged in the Amended Complaint does not identically exist in Norwegian (perhaps a misspelling or typo, but a fundamental one central to the allegation), and the substance of this new allegation is publicly doubted by others.<ref>https://www.chess.com/news/view/hans-niemann-amends-complaint</ref>.
==Analysis of Niemann's Career==
An in-depth analysis of many games played by Niemann throughout his [[chess]] career suggest some statistical anomalies.<ref>https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-hans-niemann-case-numbers-what-they-reveal-and-what-they-do-not-reveal</ref>
An analysis of his claims about being a top-ranked or #3-ranked child cyclist for his age group are doubted by an investigative report.<ref>https://cyclingtips.com/2022/10/chess-outcast-hans-niemann-says-he-was-a-top-cyclist-was-he-really/</ref>
== Dembski's analysis ==
[[William Dembski]]'s [[intelligent design]] approach to this controversy, whereby statistical improbability is used to determine whether to infer design, is set forth in this interview of him by Eric Anderson.<ref>https://idthefuture.com/1673/</ref>
== Biased Wikipedia Entry ==
In its typically biased and convoluted style, [[Wikipedia]] has a long-winded entry about the issue that obscures. Wikipedia's title misleading describes this as merely a controversy between [[Magnus Carlsen]] and Hans Niemann.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlsen%E2%80%93Niemann_controversy</ref> Wikipedia makes no mention of [[gambling]] despite the unexplained presence of women who looked like [[casino]] showgirls to protest in support of the 19-year-old Niemann, and the immense improbable jackpot for gamblers when a weak player using the black pieces defeats the best-of-all-time Carlsen as Niemann did. Wikipedia quotes a few over-the-hill players unfamiliar with sophisticated, possibly gambling-funded cheating, who criticized Carlsen, without Wikipedia including that multiple top players today side with Carlsen about this and have criticized Niemann. Wikipedia fails to fully explain cheating by Niemann's coach in the past. Wikipedia quotes the [[liberal]] ''[[Slate]]'' as though it were an authority.
== See also==
== See also==
*[[Magnus-Niemann chess match]]
*[https://slate.com/culture/2022/09/chess-cheating-scandal-magnus-carlsen-hans-moke-niemann-anal-beads.html Slate article]
*[https://slate.com/culture/2022/09/chess-cheating-scandal-magnus-carlsen-hans-moke-niemann-anal-beads.html Slate article]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybuJ_nIXwGE Joe Rogan interview of Magnus Carlsen which begins on this topic]
== References ==
== References ==
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[[category:chess]]
[[category:chess]]