Chess Mates on Netflix

source: Netflix

Greetings to all chess fans! Untold: Chessmates just dropped on Netflix. The documentary centers on the 2022 Sinquefield Cup scandal. Hans Niemann, a young, brash, American rising star defeated Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top player. After the loss, Carlsen withdrew from the tournament and strongly implied that Niemann cheated. It was a controversial decision and painted a bad look on Carslen and the chess world in general. It was divisive because there were players like Hikaru Nakamura who took Carlsen's side and there were also players who didn't think Niemann cheated in their game and told Magnus to put up or shut up. Carlsen provided no proof the Niemann cheated, only that he thought Niemann played beyond his abilities to defeat him. Niemann's interviews didn't help his case either. He was evasive to analyze the games and said it was just a miracle that prior to the game, he happened to see a similar rare line that Carlsen employed. Earlier cases of cheating online by Niemann was uncovered but he insisted he didn't cheat over the board. Afterwhich, lawsuits was filed by Niemann against Carlsen, Nakamura and chess.com that banned his account. Eventually a settlement was made reinstating Niemann's chess.com account and that Carlsen will not withdraw from tournaments Niemann will play in in the future. Later, it was Nakamura (along with other players) that got accused by former world champion Vladimir Kramnik of cheating online games without proof.

The Game in Sinquefield Cup

The game was a rare g3 line of the Nimzo Indian that Carlsen prepared to surprise Niemann. Hans was not surprised and turned the tables around Magnus. He beat Magnus in an almost perfect game with a winning endgame. He later said in an interview that he happened to study the rare line before the game by accident which was a miracle. Such unbelievable answers further fueled the fire of his cheating suspicions. Although it was never proven that he cheated in over the board games.

In the live ratings database, Niemann is ranked 20th with a rating of 2728 proving that he belongs to be included with the chess elites.