Ian Nepomniachtchi commented on why he didn’t shake hands with Hans Moke Niemann at the UzChess Cup 2026 technical meeting. Nepo says he is unhappy with Hans’s behavior after their exhibition match, and states that Niemann has to learn how to behave.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Russia's No. 1

“I was really unsatisfied with his behavior in the last day of the match. Even at the board, I don’t think it was respectful, neither to chess nor to me. Despite he played a very good game against me.

But he’s not a teenager anymore. Would it be four years ago, I wouldn’t be too thrilled. But I believe, when he’s finally twenty plus, he probably has to learn how to behave.

His dedication to chess is commendable, but his behavior is not. And then the communication after the match with him… He just stopped answering any messages and so on. We discussed all the details in person, and then he basically vanished.

Also, I don’t find his statements on X polite, to say so.”

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.

The UzChess Cup 2026 takes place from June 7 to 15, at the Crowne Plaza, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Hans and Ian share last place after losing their first games.

Credit: ChessBase India Facebook