Chess News

Susan Polgar: I cut my friendships with some fellow GMs because they were caught red handed cheating

After 19-year-old American grandmaster Hans Niemann defeated Magnus Carlsen in the third round of the Sinquefield Cup 2022, the World Chess Champion decided to withdraw from the event. Rumors that Magnus Carlsen suspected Niemann was cheating started spreading over social medias and the topic of cheating in chess is the top news in mass medias ever since. After chess.com revealed in their 72-page report that Niemann was not the only super-grandmaster caught cheating online, the speculations of who has cheated overwhelmed the chess world. Just today, Norwegian government broadcasting company NRK disclosed that the President of the Norwegian Chess Federation IM Joachim Birger Nilsen admitted he cheated online during the Pro Chess League played on chess.com in 2016/2017 season.

Speaking about the trending topic, one of the best female chess player of all times Susan Polgar published a statement in which she says that she cut friendships with fellow grandmasters who were caught cheating red-handed. Susan Polgar was targeted on social medias after congratulating Hans Niemann for his victory in the first round of the US Chess Championship. Referring to the unacceptable insulting messages she received afterwards, Polgar wrote: “I have to say that sometimes I am embarrassed by the behavior and conduct of some of the chess “so called” fans. It is more like “chess trolls” or “chess jerks”. I may not be perfect. But I have always tried my best to be fair and objective, especially when dealing with extra sensitive situations. When something good happens, I point it out, and give praise. When something bad happens, I also do the same. I detest cheating with a passion. I do not care if it is online or in person. Cheating is cheating. I was on the receiving end of chess cheating several times in the past so I am extra sensitive about it. I cut my friendships with some fellow GMs, and lost all respect for them, because they were caught red handed cheating. I have never defended cheaters, ever.

Yesterday when I posted about GM Hans Niemann winning his first round game at the 2022 US Championships, dozens insulted me, and used words that cannot be repeated. Some even accused me of defending an admitted cheater. What I pointed out was 99% of the chess players out there would collapse mentally and emotionally under this kind of scrutiny and embarrassment, especially at 19. Some may even be hiding under a rock and not show up. But this kid, who cheated online, got caught, and was humiliated in front of millions of people, kept his cool, showed up, and won. That deserved praise. He may lose tomorrow or many more games. But this one game still deserved praise. But just because I praised this accomplishment, it did not change any fact. What we all know so far is he admitted to cheating online. Cheating is bad, whether 1 time or 100+ times. We are still waiting for the FIDE investigation to find out if cheating did or did not occur OTB. So until when that comes out, I am not going to speculate.

Facts are facts, and I will only deal with facts, not rumors or theories, especially when there could be massive consequences for a human being. How would you like people to treat you if you are in the same situation? Fair and objective? So that is how we should all behave.“, concluded Susan Polgar

The timetable of events related to the Carlsen – Niemann case:

DateNews
5-SepBREAKING: Magnus Carlsen withdraws from the Sinquefield Cup 2022
5-SepPossible reasons of Magnus Carlsen’s withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup 2022
5-SepHans Niemann was thoroughly checked before the fourth round of the Sinquefield Cup (VIDEO)
5-SepSinquefield Cup’s players and organizers react to Carlsen’s withdrawal from the tournament
5-SepHans Niemann R4 post-game interview: At least I got to beat Magnus Carlsen before he left
6-SepSinquefield Cup 2022 improves anti-cheating measures after Carlsen’s withdrawal
6-SepFabiano Caruana: Can’t wait to hear more about the Hans effect on The Magnus Effect
6-SepReactions to Magnus Carlsen’s withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup 2022
6-SepNiemann’s emotional confession R5 post-game interview: I cheated in random games on chess.com and this was the biggest mistake in my life
7-SepReactions to Hans Niemann’s interview
7-SepHans Niemann: I’d like to see what Nakamura has to say now
8-SepHans Niemann R6 post-game interview: The silence of my critics speaks for itself
8-SepElon Musk comments on accusations towards Hans Niemann
8-SepGarry Kasparov about Carlsen’s withdrawal: It’s an act with no precedent in the past 50 years
9-SepChess.com explains its decision to remove Hans Niemann from the platform in the official statement
9-SepDaniel Rensch about chess.com’s statement: This tweet speaks for itself
9-SepHikaru Nakamura reacts to Hans Niemann’s interview
9-SepSusan Polgar about Niemann – Carlsen case: The professional reputation of many parties is at stake
9-SepGarry Kasparov: Unless the chess world is to be dragged down into endless pathetic rumors, clear statements must be made
9-SepNiemann keeps analyzing his game with MVL while getting checked with the anti-cheating device (VIDEO)
9-SepHans Niemann R7 post-game interview: It is absolutely ridiculous to play chess under these conditions
10-SepHikaru Nakamura and Daniel Naroditsky speak about cheating in chess
10-SepHans Niemann’s fans gather in front of the Saint Louis Chess Club
10-SepSinquefield Cup Chief Arbiter’s statement: We have no indication that any player has been playing unfairly in the Sinquefield Cup 2022
11-SepNew allegations within Niemann – Carlsen case: Hans Niemann performs much better with live DGT boards
11-SepNigel Davies, “If Carlsen does not speak soon, the FIDE Ethics Commission should act”
11-SepAlexander Grischuk about Niemann – Carlsen case: Magnus freaked out for a reason
11-SepRichard Rapport suggests a polygraph test to manage cheating in chess and protect players who are falsely accused
11-SepAlexei Shirov: Hans Niemann’s last GM norm looks suspicious
12-SepHans Niemann after the end of the Sinquefield Cup 2022: It was a lot to handle and I wasn’t able to manage my nerves
13-SepS.L. Narayanan: I believe FIDE has to take more stringent measures for both online as well as OTB
13-SepHans Niemann and Magnus Carlsen to meet at the Julius Baer Generation Cup
14-SepHans Niemann to be back at the Saint Louis Chess Club for the 2022 Fall Chess Classic
15-SepFabiano Caruana on Carlsen’s withdrawal: I do not think Niemann cheated in this tournament
16-SepLeonard Barden for Guardian on Niemann – Carlsen case: It is time for FIDE to step in
16-SepStephen Colbert jokes about the latest accusations against Hans Niemann in his late night talk show
18-SepAlejandro Ramirez shares his insights on Carlsen’s withdrawal: I don’t think Hans cheated
19-SepMagnus Carlsen resignes against Hans Niemann in the second move
19-SepSusan Polgar on Carlsen’s resignation against Niemann: Definitely a protest move!
19-SepHammer says Carlsen should be sanctioned in live Norwegian TV program
19-SepFair-Play specialist Kenneth Regan: Niemann played well, but not too well
19-SepLevon Aronian: I believe Niemann hasn’t been the cleanest person when it comes to online chess
19-SepMagnus Carlsen applauds Pragg for the fantastic game
19-SepReactions to Magnus Carlsen’s resignation
19-SepNiemann’s and Carlsen’s facial expressions during their 2-move game
20-SepCarlsen will not give any interviews during the tournament
20-SepAnish Giri: we know about online cheating by multiple other chess players
20-SepNakamura on Carlsen – Nieman Julius Baer game
20-SepMartin B. Justesen: Carlsen is handling the Chess.com merger like Elon Musk did with the purchase of Twitter
20-SepCarlsen’s resignation is the top story in Norwegian newspapers
20-SepWhy was Hans Niemann invited to the Julius Baer Generation Cup?
20-SepNaroditsky: I am pretty confident that Magnus believes Niemann has cheated over the board before Saint Louis
20-SepThe Carlsen – Niemann conflict is more recent than everyone thinks?
20-SepWhat if Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann meet in the Julius Baer Generation Cup Knockout phase?
21-SepLevon Aronian on 21-move loss to Niemann: Hans played very strange moves
21-SepFIDE closely follows Carlsen – Niemann case, a statement to come
21-SepEmil Sutovsky: FIDE is concerned about recent developments of Carlsen – Niemann case
21-SepBREAKING! Magnus Carlsen: cheaters should not be taken lightly either online or OTB
21-SepNiemann’s mentor whom Carlsen mentions in the interview was banned from chess.com for cheating?!
22-SepSusan Polgar: Sadly, the performances of other young talents are overshadowed
22-SepAnish Giri about the recent chess drama: It’s moving in circles a little bit
22-SepFabiano Caruana: I would take Regan’s analysis with a large grain of salt
22-SepMagnus Carlsen: Some people were more supportive privately than publicly
23-SepIan Nepomniachtchi: I was unhappy to hear Hans Niemann will replace Rapport in Sinquefield Cup
23-SepFIDE publishes the official statement on the Carlsen – Niemann case
24-SepTop grandmasters take Carlsen’s side in the Carlsen – Niemann case?!
24-SepHans Niemann is innocent until proven guilty
25-SepSusan Polgar: DON’T CHEAT! It is simply NOT worth it!
25-SepMagnus Carlsen announces his statement(s) for the coming days: I want cheating in chess to be dealt with seriously
26-SepKenneth Regan for Al Jazeera: I was in daily communication with the Sinquefield Cup organizers
26-SepBREAKING! Magnus Carlsen publishes the official statement: I believe that Niemann has cheated more
26-SepChris Bird – Chief Arbiter of the Sinquefield Cup 2022 reacts to Carlsen’s statement
26-SepNakamura on Carlsen’s statement: It seems to me that Carlsen thinks Hans was cheating in the game they played at the Sinquefield Cup
26-SepReactions to Magnus Carlsen’s official statement
26-SepIs Carlsen’s statement the end, the beginning of the end, or only the end of the beginning? 
26-SepFabiano Caruana and Maurice Ashley comment on Carlsen’s statement (C-Squared podcast)
26-SepGM Nigel Davies on Carlsen’s statement: This is a very clear accusation of cheating, but without actual evidence
27-SepSusan Polgar suggests a lifetime ban for second cheating offense
27-SepRamesh RB: FIDE should have devised a good practical solution to the cheating problem years ago
27-SepAnish Giri reveals moves of the “Beach Game” between Niemann and Carlsen
27-SepGM Raymond Keene: Niemann could now raise stakes by consulting M’Learned Friends
27-SepSergey Karjakin on Carlsen’s statement: Niemann’s guilt has not been proven, but there is no smoke without fire
27-SepThe Carlsen – Niemann controversy is top news in mass media
28-SepGM Daniel King: “It seems to have been forgotten that a 19-year-old has been thrown to the lions”
28-SepHikaru Nakamura comments on Yosha Iglesias’s “the most incriminating evidence against Hans Niemann”
28-SepMotherboard reviews e-mails in which Maxim Dlugy confesses cheating on chess.com
29-SepEugene Perelshteyn defends and criticizes Carlsen on the Hans Niemann cheating accusations
29-SepGarry Kasparov: Carlsen’s behavior was unacceptable
1-OctIan Nepomniachtchi explains what could be considered evidence of cheating in chess
2-OctHikaru Nakamura on the recent Carlsen – Niemann case developments: I don’t see a happy ending to this
4-OctThe Wall Street Journal publishes chess.com’s findings on the Carlsen – Niemann case
4-OctHikaru Nakamura on chess.com’s findings about Hans Niemann: This is the big drama
4-OctReactions to chess.com’s findings about Hans Niemann
4-OctChess.com publishes 72-page report on Carlsen – Niemann case
5-OctGM Noel Studer: It’s insane that chess.com knew Hans likely cheated over 100 times and would have let him play in CGC
5-Oct“The report speaks for itself” #TweetOftheDay
5-OctEmil Sutovsky: Magnus didn’t follow FIDE’s procedures and may face some consequences
5-OctHans Niemann goes through strict anti-cheating control at the US Chess Championship
5-OctHans Niemann leaves the US Chess Championship studio after saying that chess speaks for itself (VIDEO)
6-OctTony Rich: We have to assume Hans Niemann is innocent until he is proven guilty

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