American chess prodigy Hans Niemann has denied using a vibrating sex toy to cheat during a $500,000 chess match last year. Magnus Carlsen was defeated by the chess champion last year at the Sinquefield Cup, an annual competition hosted in St. Louis, Missouri according to the BBC.
Carlsen, a five-time world champion, withdrew from the competition immediately, accusing his opponent of cheating. Last September, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) launched an investigation into the scandal, which many consider to be one of the largest in chess history. Last month, the pair buried the chess hatchet by agreeing to a $100 million settlement.
Mr Niemann recently spoke with Piers Morgan about the scrutiny he has undergone since being accused of cheating. He stated, “It is very disheartening to be accused of cheating after that victory,”. “These things happen and I managed to learn a lot during that time and it really has taught me a lot of very important lessons about life and chess.” When Mr. Morgan asked about the allegation that he used anal beads to cheat, he replied, “Well, your curiosity is a bit concerning, you know, maybe you’re personally interested. But I can tell you, no. Categorically, no, of course not.”
Mr Niemann admits to cheating on Chess.com when he was between the ages of 12 and 16, but he denies continuing, according to AFP. In June, a federal judge in the United States dismissed Niemann’s case for $100 million in damages. Last month, Chess.com said it stood by its report on Mr. Niemann, “including that, we found no determinative evidence that he has cheated in any in-person games”.