Discussions about possible cheating have taken place in the chess community after Magnus Carlsen suddenly and unexpectedly withdrew from the tournament after losing to American teenager Hans Niemann.

Carlsen never explained the reasons for the decision. Instead, he posted a cryptic message on Twitter with a video in which football manager José Mourinho said in an interview: “If I say something, I’m in trouble.” Some interpreted it as an accusation of cheating.

Niemann has vehemently denied using illegal means against Carlsen, but has admitted to cheating on the Chess.com website when he was 12 and 16 years old. He had previously been banned for it.

On Saturday night, the chief judge during the Sinquefield Cup, Chris Bird, came out a statement on Twitter on the occasion of the case.

Not used to cheating

“In response to the rumors circulating in the chess world recently, I can confirm that we currently have no indication that any player has played unfairly in the 2022 Sinquefield Cup. That includes all rounds played to date », he said there.

The statement further stated that the organizers at St. Louis America has been in charge of Grand Chess Tour tournaments for years with the same strict measures to prevent cheating.

Chief referee Bird claimed that the organizers were not aware of any cheating during the tournament.

The measures implemented in St. Louis meant, among other things, that players had to pass through metal detectors before each game and sometimes after. It also states that players are closely watched, and that analysis is carried out to guarantee fair play.

Extra action

Bird further stated that he, in consultation with Grand Chess Tour chief judge David Sedgwick, introduced the extra measures after the first three rounds of this year’s tournament. This means, among other things, that the players are checked with an RF scanner.

Additionally, a 15 minute delay was added to the broadcast from the tournament.

Magnus Carlsen has not spoken since his surprise resignation. Some asked the Norwegians to break the silence, among them chess legend Garry Kasparov.

– I’m not going to get into any ugly clues, but I noticed what we know at the moment. World champion Magnus Carlsen withdrew from one of the world’s biggest tournaments at St. Louis, which hasn’t happened in the last 50 years. An explanation is needed, he just signed Twitter.