Chess "Cheating" Scandal Bombshell: The Magnus Carlsen Interview Explained

[@ASMRChess]

Correction: at 04:16 I say “in 2017, then 17 year old IM Hans Niemann begins a meteoric rise…” I meant to say “in 2021, then 17 year old IM Hans Niemann…” As you can see from the graph the rise really does start in 2021.

[@raghadkhalil2950]

Wow. It doesn’t seem possible? From under 2000 to 2700 elo in less than a year. I suppose he is young, but it seems only 12 year olds are moving that fast these days!

[@starmorpheus]

@@raghadkhalil2950 Yeah absolutely insane rise but if you're a natural prodigy and dedicate every waking hour to studying chess for two years, I can see it being possible. But Idk.

[@n0xure]

@@raghadkhalil2950 I think you misunderstood. He became a FM in late 2016; so he had at least 2300 & it took him five years to get to 2500. But then it took only took him a little over a year to get to 2680; which is insane.

[@raghadkhalil2950]

@@n0xure You’re totally right! I misread the chart after I saw the comment above correcting the dates from 2017 to 2021. Still a huge jump but way more reasonable.

[@taxatollah]

His rise was far from unprecedented.

[@vincentv.9729]

A true journalistic work here. It gives context, facts, perspective and analysis and it's not trying to be more spectacular than the subject it talks about. Also great work from Carlsen who knows how to give tiny clues transforming in cliffhangers, can't wait for the next episode. You have a new subscriber anyway!

[@scottwarren4998]

I think Niemann has someone on another area controlling his mouse when Niemann plays. maybe niemann has a device for it, but it maybe isn't nedded one to cheat in his case..

[@firstandlast.1254]

The drama? I don't understand. The coverage from this channel? Impeccable. Much love ASMR Chess!

[@PMoneyMillion]

Out of all the videos published on this subject, this is my favorite so far. Concise, informative, and relaxing! Great work, and thank you.

[@danielsogge136]

Its quite obvious at this point really. Niemann and Dlugy are both known cheaters. They have now teamed up. Niemann has an unprecedented rise. Magnus Carlsen as many others were suspicious. Magnus - the best player of all time only rivalled by Kasparov - played a new line he never played before to test Niemann. Niemann respond by player a flawless game against white pieces and deals Magnus his first blow against black for over two years. Niemann explain that he studied that very same line THE SAME DAY as he played Magnus - in a miracle! A miracle bestowed upon a known cheater, with a mentor who's a known cheater, in his first seriously big tournament. This confirmed Magnus' worry from the very beginning. If none of this counts as "evidence" in your mind, then nothing will. I'm not saying it seals the deal, but it most certainly is "evidence". If you require the same level of evidence as in a murder case, when it comes to chess, then no sophisticated cheater will ever get caught, and the competitive game is broken for good.

[@danielsogge136]

And it must be added as well: After this supposed "miracle", Niemann justified it by claiming Magnus had indeed played that line before (the G3 Nimzo). Niemann suggested a fictive year and tournament in which Magnus did that, in order to avoid any follow up question by the interviewer on "when". Now as we of course now know: that was a lie. Magnus never played the online, yet Niemann lies and claim that he did. Now is this not a piece of "evidence" either?

[@Tube_Chaser]

@@danielsogge136 From what I've heard, the game Hans referenced was found, except that it wasn't in 2018, but 2019. I'm well aware that could be false, however, but I'd still wait for something more concrete to pin Niemann as a current cheater and not just circumstantial evidence.

[@danielsogge136]

@@Tube_Chaser If you will only rest content once a something like a vibrator with his DNA on it is presented, then there will no evidence. They never proved that the kid with the funny walk cheated either - the story from the video. They never got a device. Yet was the circumstantial evidence not substantial enough to be considered as evidence? The Niemann apologists are making "evidence" almost unachievable.

[@danielsogge136]

Who possess a track record of trust between Magnus and Hans? Clearly Magnus. This is also evidence (of character) in any court, even for cases such as murder. Yet here it counts for nothing? Absurd!

[@australium7374]

@@danielsogge136 well it’s not about trust. They trusted Kramnik less in 2006 but that doesn’t make him a cheater

[@legitopotamus5394]

Thanks for the impartial and comprehensive coverage. I've seen a few other videos that contained only incomplete parts of what you have here. Great work! I hope everyone can learn to have patience. 'Innocent until proven guilty' is a two way road.

[@dkubisa]

Please keep updating us on this story. Your deep knowledge on the topic and unbiased analysis is so refreshing in an era where honest, thorough journalism has been nearly eradicated in the name of sensationalism and political gamesmanship. Thank you for keeping fact-based journalism alive. The quality of your character is one of the biggest reasons that you're the only content creator I support on Patreon, and it has really shined over these past few videos covering this story. Bravo, keep it up!

[@marthalea876]

Another brilliant, and completely fair breakdown of the weird ins and outs of this ongoing drama.

[@johnsorrelw849]

Yours is the only channel I've found that's doing actual reporting on this scandal. Every other place I've looked just recycles the few bits of info we all already know, padded with a gazillion vacuous reaction clips. ASMR Chess is the only place I learn something new, and put in intriguing content. Bravo!

[@kamitebyani5309]

This video brings so much clarity to what is happening, none of the other channels are presenting the facts , all they care about is views and silly content. Bravo to your channel

[@MalloryMinerva]

I wasn't expecting Bertrand Russell, I rather liked that bit

[@chairwood]

y u got ur pfp lookin so scary

[@viola308]

@@chairwood bro a menace

[@DaevorTheDevoted]

Thanks. Unlike other channels, you're doing the legwork and presenting actual information. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@omegaguy3265]

Really like these kind of storytelling videos, you're great at it

[@fredouz]

The best reporting on this scandal on KZbin. lightyears ahead of everyone in terms of quality.

[@Market_]

Absolutely amazing video. I've scavenged the site for easy to digest understanding, and I'm proud to say this takes the cake. Love your videos and please do one on the World vs Karpov!

[@Zaetobe1]

I'm a big fan of the videos you've been doing lately. Still relaxing, but with a more journalistic approach. I'm curious to see what will happen next! Keep up the excellent content!

[@timrputnam]

Your rational and sensible explanation is truly appreciated! Thanks again for the update.

[@xwrathsx]

I think he just wanted to make sure we all remember how the knight moves

[@bluemystic7501]

I knew there was something to the comment Magnus made about Maxim Dlugy. Thanks for the background story here. Excited to see how it all plays out!

[@joseguedes1421]

Wow!!! Thank you so much, this actually sheds so much light on it.

[@Sahil_sw__]

Very interesting video, the naration and the edit were on point👌🏻

[@oscarandrade1717]

Awesome resume, thanks for the video.

[@gergokiss7377]

This video is the best I've seen about this case by a very long shot! Thank you and grats!

[@collegeisdabomb]

From ASMR artist to chess news reporter. excellent video!

[@jesserobertson8012]

Love the new style of video! Thanks for the relaxing yet informative coverage.

[@matthiaszielinski2343]

Mind blown. Incredible job on this professional level of investigation in such a short time!

[@CarlDidur]

Love the intro haha, especially ending with Jan's "ehh?". Nice Work!

[@thomatesque]

Thank you for your amazing work!!! it was clear, entertaining, objective and helped me to understand a bit more all of this chaos .... you did a great job !

[@yunggeist3211]

Your videos on this situation are the best. Enjoyed the first and I am enjoying this even more

[@Stokie09123]

I honestly struggle to watch any other chess channels because I find the voices too loud and annoying. This is why I love your channel, no hyperbole, always relaxing but always informative too!

[@Tridentine]

Objective and fair analysis of an evolving situation - great video!

[@logician9116]

I’m surprised Magnus doesn’t hold some sort of invitational, and then have a clothing check at the event without warning. He could even inform other players who respect him that this would be happening so everyone agrees without feeling violated.

[@the_manchovie1795]

You can’t really perform a search on a person without their consent, Hans could simply refuse, which only gives suspicion of cheating not concreate proof

[@johnmilon866]

Brilliant coverage of this. The only one I wil lwatch goign forward as this unfolds. Also nice to hear a fellow Dane :)

[@mjkeith8748]

What was that music at the start of the video -- so cool. Would love to know? Great vid as well, hooked me into following.

[@Hakabas01]

Suspending Judgement gang

[@acct5910]

Great summary. Gave all the info but didn't cast judgement.

[@4piousmen]

wow amazing coverage

[@mikekenworthy]

Excellent assessment of ongoing saga, cheers :)

[@swizzzle63]

Best video I've seen on this by far

[@arisaartenoja7823]

All kind of little gadgets and pocket computers and even tiny wires would be detected immediately in the anti-cheat examination before real tournament. Here is Sinquefield Cup Chief Arbiter's statement: In response to the recent rumors circulating the chess world, I can confirm that we currently have no indication that any player has been playing unfairly in the 2022 Sinquefield Cup. This includes all rounds played to date. We have been running all the Grand Chess Tour events, including the Sinquefield Cup, and other major tournaments here in Saint Louis, for many years with the same strict anti-cheating measures that were in place for rounds 1-3, and we are not aware of any fair play violations during these past events. These measures included scanning of players with metal detectors prior to games and randomly after games, close observation of the players and fair play analysis by Professor Kenneth Regan using the FIDE Game Screening Tool.

[@patsk8872]

The officials will do everything they can to cover up or hide cheating, to protect the money coming in. Like everything else, money determines everything, and integrity means nothing.

[@Eli-yr7ou]

Thank you for the updates :)

[@hwangsaessi2335]

This is getting juicy...good recap! Also 11:27 you said the line!! nice lol. I try to suspend judgement, too, but I'm definitely here for the ride.

[@ASMRChess]

Told you I would steal it!

[@mqbq3651]

Magnus was already suspicious, played a weird opening to prove a point, got crushed. For himself he had all the evidence he needed I suppose. He resigned and the tournament enforces stronger rules. Niemann seems to not be able to judge positions with the engine turned off in his follow up interview and gives his reason for the magnus game that "through a miracle" he studied the line magnus played. Also Niemann never played a none top 3 move throughout the whole magnus game. Let's see what happens.

[@strawman7428]

I’m almost convinced that magnus has someone on his team leaking info, and that he used this specific opening to test his theory. I’m unsure whether hans would be aware if his prep was leaked info or not, but those on his team definitely would.

[@taotoo2]

@@strawman7428 If so, ideally you would have several unique openings, and discuss one of them exclusively per team member

[@marvinhuckabyjr]

This guy has nerves of steel if he is a called out cheater and is still, so called, turning an engine off and on throughout all his games. He's under intense public pressure and scrutiny, thanks to Magnus, and still manages to evade enhanced metal detection to shuffle stockfish on and off, aye? He's in a no win situation. If he wins, he was cheating. If he makes mistakes and loses, the engine was turned off. No evidence has been produced, no engine has been foumd, he has publically confessed to his past indiscretions, and he is still holding up extremely well under all this pressure.

[@TedThomasTT]

The thing is though, Hans was able to say when Magnus played that weird opening before in the post interview. Also many GMs think he just played poorly in that game.

[@mqbq3651]

@@TedThomasTT true, he knew the one time magnus played something simular in his whole career. I wonder if there is a way someone could have fed him the information before the interview, but seems harder to feed such information. Might be that, as niemann said, he studied the opening just because of his own reputation. Overall it is all very weird.

[@arcachucho]

The only way to resolve this issue going forward is to use one of those full body scanners similar to what is used in airports....

[@ShowToddSomeLove]

Here we go looking forward to hearing more about this

[@solfeinberg437]

I think Magnus has always valued his personal feelings. I've seen him walk off the stage when he was being awarded a trophy because he didn't like the confetti. He decided not to continue to defend his world title because it was more work than fun - or something. So, deciding not to play Hans could be for any personal reason. Maybe he just doesn't like the guy.

[@Somm_RJ]

He was also way dominant in the tournament and way above the scoreboard that he can afford to lose and still come up on top.

[@SMSELWA]

hey, now i dont have to rewatch the haans part since theres a new video. nice.

[@Lars_Maassen]

This whole story is so facinating. So much drama

[@robest334]

To me, the story is like a undisputed, unified belted, pound for pound boxer lost to the rank 45 boxer in the world. Thats why top boxers cherry pick their opponents.

[@ghosthunter0950]

@@robest334 did you even watch the video? Magnus wasn't happy with Hans being included before the game. not to mention, chess players dont get to pick their opponents. Magnus is an undisputed #1 that played whoever challenged him.

[@icarusflying1814]

@@ghosthunter0950 that’s what’s he saying. He’s saying this would never ever happen in the boxing world

[@icarusflying1814]

@Tara Bartholomew exactly. You can’t always choose in chess. That’s what the man’s point was.

[@upplsuckimcool16]

The more I hear about this, the more it just seems like Magnus dropped the ball. He already didn't like the guy.... he played an opening he's never played before... He declined to defend his title and has even suggested he has thought he might be losing his edge...

[@CampfireKodiak]

Good explanation! I'm wondering how hard it would be to use your toes or feet to communicate with a computer? Even half of the chess notation for best move would be helpful for cheaters I'm guessing. There are so many muscles on your body that could potentially be used to send a signal. And then there is embedded microchips. Bill Gates would love that idea.

[@Ma007rk]

I have to admit I was thinking along those same lines and so far as an embedded microchip.

[@jenniturtleburger3708]

They better run that RF detector through all that hair of his.

[@BetterHabitsWithToby]

They should have some kind of x-ray check for every player to get scanned for electronics pre-game

[@eternalsummer8409]

Imagine doing a video replaying the game one day “and Hans moves here..” video ends

[@ASMRChess]

I did

[@eternalsummer8409]

My bad lol, saw this one first

[@Neptune8]

I’m more concerned about a business monopoly on the game than I am over who is the world champion. It seems like this cheating scandal is a great distraction from that

[@roadcyclist1]

You're the only concerned over it.

[@HenryTho]

These videos will be shown in schools a hundred years from now

[@atothezeezee]

Why is Hans flipping between screens/programs during play? Monitor lighting on his face changes.

[@vegan.3176]

Time stamp?

[@atothezeezee]

@@vegan.3176 see if you agree 9:32. Curious also as to what he is looking down at. I don't watch a lot of chess streams so this may be normal.

[@atothezeezee]

Looks like this is how they nailed him - documented his screen switching during key moves.

[@marguneri]

Great video explaining everything!

[@JohnnyBrook]

Niemann was born in 2003. That means in 2017 he was either 13 or 14, not 17 as you say in the video. But this detail aside, this is yet another amazing video from you, congrats again.

[@ASMRChess]

Yes I misspoke, thanks for pointing it out. The meteoric rise begins in 2021, not in 2017.

[@u.v.s.5583]

Suspending judgement is not entertaining. Since the most entertaining outcome is the most likely, I will not suspend my judgement. I will say that Stockfish cheated in the match against Leela; it had a Hans Niemann in it's shoe.

[@LoneWolfCrooner]

I am speechless. You've done a fantastic job explaining. Thank you so much. BTW, are you able to tell me what language was spoken in the intro ie "what?" More power!!

[@ASMRChess]

Thank you very much. Yes I can tell you who the people are and what their native languages are: 1 and 2 (silent): Emre Hasgülec and Sabri Can Onay (Turkish) 3: Peter Leko (Hungarian) 4: Tania Sachdev (Indian) 5: Anna Cramling (Swedish) 6: Sagar Shah (Indian) 7 and 8: Divis and Pablo (Spanish) 9: Jan Gustafsson (very German)

[@LoneWolfCrooner]

@@ASMRChess wow! U replied!! Thanks so much for this info; I will watch it again 😁 also, I absolutely love the quote from Bertrand Russell. I filmed it and even wrote it down. Best! Watching from NZ 🥳

[@ASMRChess]

@@LoneWolfCrooner I try to respond to all relevant questions :) have a nice day in NZ!

[@LeBeautiful]

What mic do you use? it sounds great

[@ASMRChess]

Schoeps CMIT 5u

[@LeBeautiful]

@@ASMRChessWOW. no wonder..any plugins and other audio gear? Thanks for the incredible content.

[@manzarek74]

the future will tell if Niemann can play at same level if the security search is more detailed before each match like shoe search

[@JimBalter]

He already did.

[@lonewolf5238]

Brilliant work here. Best analyses I've seen yet. What is truth? Time will tell.

[@HaidukeNT]

His mentor is Sai Fujiwara

[@MundialPL]

Excellent video, again!

[@Grimmson2]

Great video. Thank you for making it.

[@Stevestray13]

Can someone explain how the computer in the shoe gets move information from the players?

[@IIIlllIIllIlIl]

The match is broadcasted so it could just be a signaling system

[@AS-yi1gj]

Yes but whit 15 min delay…

[@souviendra]

the video is informative and well done but you shouldn’t have used Vox’s “Explained” graphic in the thumbnail, it’s not yours

[@esloquees3854]

My brother I could listen to you talk about your shopping list

[@katersss]

ohhh okay i was wondering what magnus was hinting to with that name drop

[@marissa3248]

Hey just started the vid but I've gotta know. Is the intro based on the song "Babel" by Rone? It's so sick!

[@lukeadsit4049]

“He walked as if he had something in his shoes” 💀💀💀

[@austintrummel1945]

this is outstanding work

[@MarcusWiderberg]

Top notch! Very well done. Great quote on cheating possibility and impact: 3:25 One question: The meteoric rise (i e 4:22), "statisticians & GM" - unprecedented [...] in is age group" - I heard some observers saying that it is impressive but not implausible. It seems there are differing opinions on this. Is "unprecedented" really accurate here?

[@haltux]

Everything is unprecedented until it happens. What Fisher did was unprecedented and "statistically implausible" as well. Chess ability of exceptionnal individuals do not follow statistical laws, outliers do exist, their probability of occurence cannot be computed using tradictional statistics.

[@johnsorrelw849]

@@haltux ...but if the unprecedented is by someone known to cheat before, it does make it more suspicious than if it is someone without that record. And recall the sports doping scandals that broke in the naughts-- preceded by startling record breaking by those cheating elite athletes. I'm suspending judgement... but i am understanding better the reasons for suspicion. On the other hand, I'm impressed that Niemann has kept up the play with all this swirling around. Even if it's all been from cheating, it takes some strong nerve.

[@zl7460]

Magnus should be sanctioned for his outrageous behaviors leading to this ridiculous witch hunt. However, Magnus holds so much power and influence so that FIDE is not punishing Magnus at all. Shame on other GMs too for licking Magnus' boot and fueling this witch hunt further.

[@lluvik2450]

8:16, which country's accent is that?

[@greg55666]

This is a fantastic video.

[@michaelworkspace]

Thanks for the explanation!!!

[@liambui9500]

I got startled when I thought it was going to be quiet at the start 😆

[@ASMRChess]

sorry - I will return to my more usual stuff shortly!

[@liambui9500]

@@ASMRChess no problem, I was just caught offguard. This content is also great!

[@skillywilly187]

I need help somebody please help me if there is chess software in his shoe how Does it convey the information to him seriously has anybody really thought of that about that.. Am I missing something

[@ASMRChess]

Morse code with any type of signal that Hans can feel

[@thepropolys]

Very nice presentation!

[@othomile]

Best video i have seen about this issue

[@juredicey8867]

Aha.. that’s why he rose to the top easily.. birds of the same feather flocks together...

[@robest334]

Ego is proportinal to Elo.

[@yoeymusic]

That doesn't bode well for me...

[@emilerhard4189]

Well seems like rightfully so

[@sailorboatface2162]

Idk, I have a pretty big ego and a pretty low elo

[@ChocolateMilk..]

@@sailorboatface2162 You sure do.

[@brianinski]

@@cgray333 Caucasian Ebonics?

[@Miqa.99]

Was not expecting Emre Hasgüleç and Sabri Can Onay Yontar here but I am glad they appeared in the video.

[@ASMRChess]

Why not? They are amazing commentators!

[@williamfrancis2763]

I don’t know anything about chess, but your videos have me hooked

[@u.v.s.5583]

Nor does Hans Niemann; it does not stop him for being a super GM!

[@_fa_]

I don’t know anything about chess, but it's pretty obvious...

[@JimBalter]

@@u.v.s.5583 He knows a lot more than you do.

[@JimBalter]

@@_fa_ What is?

[@u.v.s.5583]

@@JimBalter Every 1500 fide knows a lot more than I do.

[@The1976spirit]

12:02 Bertrand Russel (white) cheats on Monty Python (black) Its called the babylonian opening. The Chewbacca Castling is sth. completeley different.

[@AS-yi1gj]

Its just crazy. Tanks for explaining.

[@prawtism]

wtf, way better info than anyone else, impressive

[@Burt_Sampson]

Don’t know a single thing about chess but love your vids!

[@fang.clarkec7584]

I can now understand Magnus suspicions. But he's openly becoming more let's say less suspicious or a softer approach which I think is only good if he accepts the challenge next time they play, and doesn't backflip and pull yet another cheating scandal accusation stunt. Maybe to lighten things up Hans can walk in with just his jocks, thongs and a t shirt with a big grimace on his face. That would be gold.

[@erikreddington461]

Instead of trust but verify, I'll take 'cant trust either of them'. Only one guy knows. The rest is conjecture, with lack of evidence. How does anyone take a side with self interested strangers?

[@thureintun1687]

Everyone should own PGP key pairs from now on

[@Mudaro222]

Btw I like your videos!

[@ASMRChess]

Thanks man! Let me know if you wanna collab :)

[@Mudaro222]

@@ASMRChess 100%! where shall i contact you?

[@ASMRChess]

[e-mail]

[@othomile]

After seeing this and remembering what Hans said during his St Louis interview i now have a completely different view on the matter now.. i dont hold a neutral stance anymore.. Thanks for the video.. But the thing about this is i dont think it's nit just one or two people working together.. it's mlst probably an eleborate network including even many who may be holding high positions in some chess cycles (this last point is just speculation but l9oking at certain factors i think is probable or plausible)

[@malibunights7108]

Innocent until proven guilty

[@anti0918]

@@malibunights7108 This is not a court of law and he’s not on trial for a crime. And even if it were a court of law, “innocent until proven guilty”” is rarely the standard.

[@malibunights7108]

@@anti0918 so this is the court of public opinion, where the public decides who is guilty or innocent by mere speculations and minsinformation?

[@anti0918]

​@@malibunights7108 The only misinformation I see is Hans claiming Magnus played that line before.

[@malibunights7108]

@@anti0918 so the anal beads allegation is true? Come on, man. Hahaha.

[@WheresPoochie]

So people are accusing Hans of cheating because he is working with a guy who once famously spotted another guy cheating? What?

[@Y0kemeister]

What is your opinion on all this? I’d like to hear your opinion on Magnus resigning during the game with Hans.

[@dkoleary88]

watch the ending of the video

[@heinzvonwolken6221]

Time puts everyone in the right place. Niemann will never be world champion.

[@fuckbankers]

You can't throw around accusations without any evidence.

[@surajs3325]

Proof is secondary, accusations come first! Simply following chronological order

[@alexbarcovsky4319]

Yes, I dont know the truth, but judging by 1. Magnus Carlsen acusing him, Magnus being mentally sound and also the best ever by far 2. Niemanns weird behaviour and answevers in interviews, I cant help myself but be suspicious

[@Red-hx4xr]

Innocent until proven guilty :)

[@joemilner7710]

@@Red-hx4xr yeah if only the world actually worked that way 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@malibunights7108]

@@joemilner7710 yeah, if only the public is logical, and not biased towards Magnus Carlsen. But since all chess players are Magnus fanboys, it is guilty until proven innocent, but if he is innocent, it doesn't matter, people hate Niemann anyway since he defeated Magnus

[@tsunderella5826]

@@malibunights7108 people like Carlsen because he is the best chess player in the world and has an amazing personality. Carlsen is not a toxic person and is extremely humble for being the best. he has lost before to lower rated people and he congratulated them. If Carlsen thinks Niemann cheated I would trust his insight based on him being the best and his personality/history dealing with losses.

[@JimBalter]

@@tsunderella5826 Wow. That's about as inaccurate a description of Magnus's personality as possible. The fact he has sometime congratulated other players is irrelevant. In the case of Niemann he is making accusations based on his "feels" and has crossed over into legal defamation.

[@bubbyisgod]

Wow .... I was on the side of Hans. This is troubling.

[@malibunights7108]

I didn't see any evidence here. Did you see any?