Hans Moke Niemann shared his opinion on Ian Nepomniachtchi’s comment about Aaron Mendes on September 2. Wesley So commented on the situation in replies to the Niemann’s post on X.

Wesley suggests Hans challenge Nepo to a runback of their Belgrade match. Wesley notes that if Ian loses, he should apologize to Aaron Mendes.

Wesley So

Wesley So

World's No. 5

“Challenge Nepo to a rematch part 2!

If you beat him, he has to apologize to the kid and retract his words!”

14-year-old IM Aaron Mendes defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi at the Titled Tuesday on September 1. Nepo commented on Aaron’s moves on his stream during the event. Nepo considered one of Aaron’s moves in the game suspicious.

Aaron Reeve Mendes is a Canadian chess prodigy. He became the youngest IM in Canadian history at 12 years old. Aaron’s Classical rating is 2340 and he is Canada’s No. 27.

Hans Niemann and Ian Nepomniachtchi played an exhibition match in Belgrade at the end of May. The GMs played to a score of 4-4, Ian refused to play a tiebreak, and the match ended in a draw. Nepo criticized the match, and Niemann made a public explanation of the situation.

Credit: Lennart Ootes