OSLO: Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen abruptly withdraws from match against American Hans Niemannreigniting an ongoing controversy over cheating in sports.
After playing just one shot in a game against Niemann on Monday night in the “Julius Baer Generation CupOnline tournament, Carlsen resigned from the game without a word and turned off his webcam in front of stunned commentators.
The 31-year-old five-time world champion did not give an explanation, but his gesture was seen as a new protest against the young American, 12 years his junior.
A week ago, Carlsen retired from the Sinquefield Cup in the United States after losing to Niemann, a rising young star in the chess world who admitted to cheating in online games in the past.
In a post that was widely understood to be an insinuation, Carlsen then posted a 2014 video of manager Jose Mourinho on Twitter, then at English side Chelsea.
“I would really prefer not to talk. If I talk, I’m in big trouble,” said the Portuguese coach, which many saw as a sign of protest.
The Norwegian’s last withdrawal has reignited the controversy.
“This is an unprecedented case”, says Dutch chess master Anish Giri told Norwegian channel TV2.
“I totally understand that from Magnus’ perspective as he doesn’t fully trust him as he knows about his repeated cheating online,” he added.
“But having said that, of course, normally when you have that situation, you deal with it. You just hope your opponent doesn’t cheat and you play.”
Interviewed by the Chess24 site, American Levon Aronian says he “understands Magnus’ frustration”.
“I’m somewhere in the middle. I believe Hans hasn’t been the cleanest person when it comes to online chess. Aronian said.
After playing just one shot in a game against Niemann on Monday night in the “Julius Baer Generation CupOnline tournament, Carlsen resigned from the game without a word and turned off his webcam in front of stunned commentators.
The 31-year-old five-time world champion did not give an explanation, but his gesture was seen as a new protest against the young American, 12 years his junior.
A week ago, Carlsen retired from the Sinquefield Cup in the United States after losing to Niemann, a rising young star in the chess world who admitted to cheating in online games in the past.
In a post that was widely understood to be an insinuation, Carlsen then posted a 2014 video of manager Jose Mourinho on Twitter, then at English side Chelsea.
“I would really prefer not to talk. If I talk, I’m in big trouble,” said the Portuguese coach, which many saw as a sign of protest.
The Norwegian’s last withdrawal has reignited the controversy.
“This is an unprecedented case”, says Dutch chess master Anish Giri told Norwegian channel TV2.
“I totally understand that from Magnus’ perspective as he doesn’t fully trust him as he knows about his repeated cheating online,” he added.
“But having said that, of course, normally when you have that situation, you deal with it. You just hope your opponent doesn’t cheat and you play.”
Interviewed by the Chess24 site, American Levon Aronian says he “understands Magnus’ frustration”.
“I’m somewhere in the middle. I believe Hans hasn’t been the cleanest person when it comes to online chess. Aronian said.