Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen made a long-awaited statement about Hans Niemann's cheating: "I think Niemann cheated quite a lot — and recently — that he's admitted some things publicly." The world champion posted the statement on Twitter moments ago.

Carlsen began by saying that he was "disappointed" about what is currently happening as the entire chess community. He then used the word 'cheating', and later became clearer after a tweet he posted on 5 September, with a famous video clip showing football coach Jose Mourinho saying: 'I'd really rather not talk, if I did I would be in big trouble'.

Carlsen confirmed what Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana said recently on a radio show that the world champion had considered withdrawing from the Sinkfield Cup before the first round, when he knew at the last minute that Neiman would replace Grandmaster Richard Raport.

The most important statement in Carlsen's statement is: "I think Neiman has cheated a lot, and lately, he's admitted some things in public." However, Carlsen did not specify whether he intended to cheat online or in the real world.

Regarding online cheating, Neiman admitted that he cheated twice on Chess.com, the first time when he was 12 and the second when he was 16, and that he regrets it. In a statement published on September 9, international professor Danny Rench wrote on behalf of Chess.com: "Neman has shared detailed evidence of our decision, including information that conflicts with his statements regarding the scale and severity of cheating on Chess.com."

In his statement, Carlsen revealed that he doubted Neiman would also play in the match he lost to Neemann before he withdrew from the Sinkfield Cup.

The big question is whether the world champion has compelling evidence that Niemann actually cheated, that remains unclear. Carlsen appears to be restricted and unable to speak for legal reasons, stating: "Unfortunately, at this time I am limited in what I can say without Neiman's express permission to speak frankly."

Statement text:

Dear chess world,

At the 2022 Sinkfield Cup, I made the unprecedented professional decision to withdraw from the tournament after my two third-round match against Hans Niemann. A week later, during the Chess Champions Tour, I withdrew from my match against Hans Niemann after playing only one move.

I know my actions have frustrated many in the chess community, I am disappointed as well. I want to play chess, and I want to keep playing at the highest level in the strongest tournaments.

I think cheating in chess is a huge problem and an existential threat to the game. I also think that chess regulators and everyone who cares about the sanctity of the game we love should seriously consider increasing security measures and ways to detect cheating on the chessboard. When Niemann was invited at the last minute to the 2022 Sinkfield Cup, I thought hard about withdrawing before the tournament started, but chose to play in the end.

I think Neiman has cheated a lot - and more recently - than he has admitted publicly. His development on the board was extraordinary, during our Sinkfield Cup match he wasn't nervous and he wasn't fully focused on the game especially in sensitive situations, where he beat me black in a way that I think only a handful of players can do. This match changed my view.

We have to do something about cheating, and for my part from now on I don't want to play against people who have cheated frequently in the past, because I don't know what they can do in the future. I would like to say more but unfortunately, at this time, I am limited in what I can say without the express permission of Nieman to speak frankly. So far I have only been able to speak of my actions, and they have clearly shown that I am not ready to play chess with Neiman. I hope the truth in this matter comes out no matter what

With Regards

Greetings to the chess champions

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