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Magnus Carlsen on the chessboard: Scandal also online
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YOSHUA ARIAS / EPA
World chess champion Magnus Carlsen caused an uproar when he suddenly left a tournament at the beginning of September after a surprising defeat against 19-year-old Hans Niemann, without explanation.
Allegations of fraud poured out about Niemann on the Internet, without evidence.
Now the chess world watched with excitement as the two met again in an online tournament - and witnessed the next scandal.
Niemann with the white pieces moved his pawn to d4 at the beginning of the rapid game.
Carlsen made a knight move, Niemann responded with the next pawn movement - and Carlsen simply gave up and then apparently cut his video connection as well.
As can be seen in a clip, Niemann looks annoyed at his camera.
The reactions to Carlsen's behavior are surprising and critical.
Grandmaster Péter Lékó said in a broadcast of the game that he was "speechless".
And British grandmaster David Howell commented: "These are just bizarre, bizarre times."
When Carlsen surprisingly said goodbye to the tournament in St. Louis at the beginning of September after the unexpected defeat against Niemann, he did not publicly comment on his motives.
On the Internet, however, fueled by streamer star and grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, speculation boiled up that Niemann had probably cheated.
There is no evidence of this.
Niemann has always assured that he did not cheat.
Based on game analysis, experts assume that Niemann had no computer help.
Carlsen has remained silent publicly about the reasons for his departure.
That's why it was unclear how Carlsen would go into the online game against Niemann.
The fact that he gave up the game so quickly is fueling speculation again.
Why doesn't the world champion want to play against the 19-year-old American?
International Champion Jovanka Houska criticized Carlsen for not taking a public stand.
He couldn't behave like that, she said on »chess24«: »He can't just say: 'Yes, I think you cheated' and start a witch hunt.
He has to say, 'This is my proof'."
President of the Berlin Chess Federation Paul Meyer-Dunker tweeted: "Instead of speaking out, Magnus Carlsen decides to throw Hans Niemann under the internet mob bus in a way that makes it impossible for him to defend himself fairly.
With great power comes great responsibility.
That's not how Carlsen should handle it."
Grandmaster Alejandro Ramírez, who interviewed Niemann in St. Louis about his reaction to Carlsen's departure, made a similar statement on »chess24«.
Carlsen's task in the online tournament is "a clear indication that Magnus thinks that something is wrong with Hans." Carlsen had to comment publicly.
However, this is unlikely to happen in the coming days.
According to chess journalist Tarjei J. Svensen, Carlsen has announced that he will not be doing any interviews during the tournament.
The Julius Baer Generation Cup, in which invited players can participate online from anywhere in the world, runs until September 25th.
During the games, the players turn on their webcams and are filmed during the games.
This is how the tournament continued after the scandal on Monday evening.
Carlsen and Niemann competed against other opponents in their subsequent games.
Both players currently have chances of winning the tournament.
ptz
