Hans Niemann, a chess player at the center of a controversial cheating scandal, humorously remarked, “Every conversation I have about chess leads to anal beads.” While this may appear nonsensical in a different setting, it resonates deeply within the context of Niemann’s experiences. In 2022, he faced allegations of cheating against world champion Magnus Carlsen, with some speculating that he used a vibrating device to enhance his performance, resulting in an unexpected victory.
Though the theory may sound absurd—more suitable for a satirical show than serious discourse—it gained traction both online and in media outlets. The Netflix special, “Untold: Chess Mates,” utilizes archival footage to lampoon the incident, featuring commentary from personalities like Piers Morgan and Trevor Noah, who humorously suggested that with such a device, “even if you lose, you still kinda win.”
The documentary revisits the media storm surrounding the event and the ongoing rivalry between Niemann and Carlsen. Niemann, a young American talent who found his footing in online chess, passionately questions, “What price do we pay for genius?!” directly addressing viewers. Carlsen, the Norwegian champion, expresses skepticism about Niemann’s capabilities, implying that his rival was merely “cosplaying as a top chess player.”
It is important to note that Niemann was never proven guilty of cheating in official matches against Carlsen or any other competitors. He subsequently filed a $100 million lawsuit against Carlsen and several other parties, which was eventually dismissed by a federal judge, leading to a settlement among the involved parties. In the documentary, Niemann claims that Carlsen and executives from chess.com conspired to undermine him, especially in light of a merger between chess.com and Carlsen’s gaming platforms. Niemann refers to this group as the “chess mafia,” while Carlsen and chess.com representatives dismiss his claims as delusional. While Carlsen continues to assert that Niemann cheated during their 2022 encounter, chess.com found no evidence linking Niemann’s online infractions to over-the-board play.
The documentary transitions into Niemann’s adolescence, showcasing his energetic online gameplay, characterized by dramatic reactions to wins and losses. Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, who was also mentioned in Niemann’s lawsuit, expressed his disapproval of Niemann’s behavior, indicating that some viewed his style as inappropriate or even offensive. Although the notion of a “mafia” conspiring against him may seem exaggerated, it is evident that Niemann’s rapid rise from a controversial online persona to a serious competitor irked established figures in the chess community. The bizarre conspiracy theory surrounding his achievements contributed to his portrayal as a figure of ridicule, a situation that feels both unjust and oddly appropriate.
Ultimately, the documentary presents a classic “he said, he said” scenario, providing little new insight into the situation. It culminates in a reenactment of a match between Niemann and Carlsen that took place a year and a half prior, leaving viewers with the impression that the narrative has diminished in urgency since its peak. Nonetheless, the sensational events and their implications will undoubtedly linger in public discourse. As Allebest succinctly puts it, “Anal beads have been super good to us.”
“Untold: Chess Mates” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
