14-year-old Canadian 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 considers one of Aaron’s moves in the game suspicious.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Russia's No. 1

“14-year-old boy, right? Well, the boy who deliberately does not make a check move — hats off to him. That is very respectable.

I would have zero suspicions about this game, but his en passant instead of a check — it leaves a bad taste. Like, why? How? For what?

Aaron, my friend… Well, fortunately, we will not play against Aaron again in the tournament, because we already learned our lesson from him.”

Nepo and Aaron played in Round 10 of the Titled Tuesday on September 1. On move 38, Nepo blundered with a Bishop and Mendes gained a significant advantage.

On move 40, Aaron placed his Bishop under attack. Nepo did not capture Aaron’s Bishop and moved one of his Pawns two squares forward. Aaron ignored his hanging Bishop and played en passant. Ian Nepomniachtchi resigned five moves later.

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.

Credit: Lennart Ootes