Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann: A Chess Rivalry Revisited
The Ongoing Chess Rivalry
The rivalry between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann began during the 2022 Sinquefield Cup, where Carlsen accused Niemann of cheating, leading to his withdrawal from the tournament. This incident sparked a series of allegations and a lawsuit filed by Niemann against Carlsen. Eventually, both players reached a resolution in court.
As we approach 2026, the tension has resurfaced ahead of the Netflix documentary Untold: Chess Mates, set to premiere on April 7. Newly released footage revisits the scandal that shook the chess community. In one segment, Carlsen shares his thoughts on self-belief, stating, “I know that I am relatively bright, but I am not a genius. I am not something amazing. I only know that when I sit down at the board, I am better than the other guy.”
He also expressed moments of self-doubt, admitting, “I sometimes feel as though I don't deserve it. I feel like, at times, it comes easily to me. There are probably people who worked harder, who haven't reached as far.”
In another part of the documentary, Carlsen reflects on Niemann, describing their interactions as entertaining due to Niemann's unpredictable mood swings. He acknowledged Niemann's skills but noted, “He was pretty decent, but I still won the games quite easily.” Carlsen concluded, “He’s a good player who happens to be American and talks a lot.”
Niemann shared his perspective, recalling, “I was just this kid who didn’t view myself as this potential champion, and suddenly here I am playing Magnus, playing the world champion, someone I looked up to for so long.” He addressed critiques of his behavior during matches, stating, “I know a lot of players would talk about it, ‘Why does he do this, do that?’ And they all think it’s so crazy, but in the world of sports, it’s really not that crazy. It’s normal.”
He further questioned why he should conform to expectations of politeness, asserting, “Nice guys, you know, they finish last, as they say. And I am not a nice guy. You can’t be a nice guy and be a champion, unfortunately.”
The documentary also features Hikaru Nakamura, who commented on Niemann’s vibrant personality, contrasting it with traditional chess norms. He noted, “In the old-school chess establishment, the view is that you have to be very proper. You win, you say, ‘I won the game.’ You lose, you say, ‘The guy played better than me.’” Nakamura added, “But Hans is very wild. When he lost games, he would scream, he’d yell. When he’d win games, he’d be like, ‘I’m the greatest in the world.’”