Ian Nepomniachtchi shared his opinion on GMs Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Zhamsaran Tsydypov, and Maxim Matlakov during the September 15 Titled Tuesday. Nepo believes that they show suspicious activity. Ian compares Tsydypov’s skill with Vincent Keymer. Nepo made comments about the players on his stream during the event.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Russia's No. 1

“Well, by the way, Duda is again 4 out of 4, meaning nothing changes. Matlakov is 4 out of 4. Now this is truly suspicious activity.

Duda is on 6 out of 7 points today. Well, Tsydypov is on 7 out of 7. Well, for me, honestly, this is suspicious activity.

Here is a good chess player, for example, Vincent Keymer. He seems to be a better player than Tsydypov, but the results show the opposite in the tournament.”

Ian Nepomniachtchi suspected 14-year-old Canadian IM Aaron Mendes of unfair play at the September 1 Titled Tuesday. Hans Moke Niemann reacted to Ian’s suspicions on his X. Niemann said that FIDE must punish players for insinuations, and called not to defame fellow chess players.

Credit: Lennart Ootes