Hans Moke Niemann

American GM

“Magnus actually cheated online on camera. This is actually quite funny.

He was streaming an online tournament — a prize money event. Next to him was another grandmaster, and the grandmaster said: ‘Make that move.’ But Magnus didn’t see that move… And then he made that move and won the game.

That’s like… if I did that — I’d be banned. When you’re playing, you’re playing on your own. As soon as the grandmaster told him the move, he should have resigned the game and lost.

But what did he do? He made the move and won the game. He just cheated on camera! If that does not show you how unserious online chess is — that the World Champion is comfortable cheating on camera… I mean, if someone else tells you a move in an in-person event — you’re banned!

In in-person tournaments, you’re not even allowed to talk to other players…”