Hans Niemann commented on Ben Finegold’s claim that Hans was kicked out of the Saint Louis Chess Club in his youth for using a chess engine to solve puzzles. Hans denies being kicked out at that time, and notes that the accusations have no evidence.

Hans Moke Niemann

Hans Moke Niemann

American GM

“First of all, the fact that I was kicked out of a camp — is absolutely false! Interestingly enough, Greg Shahade, the founder of this camp, has already refuted this on record. Yes, when I was young, there were some behavioral issues, but I was never kicked out!

The accusation of using an engine isn’t even something he witnessed himself. It’s something his student allegedly said. That’s just completely insane! No offense to a student, but I don’t even recall him being there…

The funny thing is, when everything was going well, Ben was actually my greatest supporter. And then, after the cheating accusations, he completely changed his mind. I can’t take him seriously after that.

If I really wanted to, I could sue him easily. Because that’s literally the textbook definition of pure defamation.

But in the end, why are you all entertaining disingenuous behavior? You, content creators, get the views — but it damages me.”

American GM Benjamin Finegold (2365) shared what he heard from his student at the Saint Louis Chess Club. His student said that Hans Niemann was solving puzzles on his phone under the table during chess lessons. Benjamin spoke about this and mentioned Hans’s expulsion from the club in an interview with Dina Belenkaya in June 2025.

American GM Hans Moke Niemann (2725) was not kicked out of the Saint Louis Chess Club at a young age. In 2024, Niemann was barred from St. Louis’s invitational events. The main reasons for the ban were inappropriate behavior and rude commentary, according to the club’s official statement.

Credit: Dina Belenkaya Youtube