American GMs Hans Moke Niemann and Awonder Liang will play a Classical exhibition match from April 10 to 15, 2026, at the Blitz Society bar in Paris.

The event is a 12-game match featuring Classical 60+30 time control. The loser will donate $10,000 to charity. The first game of the match will start at 9 AM UTC and the second at 1:30 PM.

This event is Awonder’s second consecutive showmatch, following the “Hikaru vs. Awonder Candidates Training Match.” Liang won that match with a 2-point lead, and Nakamura noted that he didn’t expect such a result.

GM Hans Moke Niemann (2735) is World’s No. 17 and popular Twitch streamer known for his rapid rise in FIDE rankings and his central role in a major 2022 cheating scandal. GM Awonder Liang (2714) is World’s No. 25 and third-youngest American to achieve the GM title, in 2017 at age 14.

Credit: Lennart Ootes