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Chess.com Reinstates Account of American Chess Grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann After Legal Dispute
Chess.com has officially reinstated the account of American chess grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann, bringing an end to a lengthy legal dispute involving the world’s largest chess website and World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. The dispute began when Carlsen accused Niemann of cheating during a tournament last year.
Niemann’s account was suspended by Chess.com last year following Carlsen’s allegations of cheating during a match between the two at the Sinquefield Cup in September. Carlsen later resigned from a rematch with Niemann after just one move, citing Niemann’s lack of focus during crucial moments of the game.
After months of legal battles and accusations, Chess.com has now announced that Niemann’s account has been restored. The website stated that all parties involved have reached an agreement that will allow the chess world to move forward without further litigation.
According to Chess.com, Niemann will now be allowed to participate in any of the website’s events and will be treated no differently from any other player. The site also clarified that they found no determinative evidence that Niemann cheated in any in-person games, although they did suggest that he likely cheated in online games.
Carlsen, who previously accused Niemann of cheating, has now backtracked on his accusations. He stated that there is no conclusive evidence that Niemann cheated in their game and expressed willingness to play against Niemann in future events.
The resolution of this dispute comes after a federal judge dismissed Niemann’s $100 million defamation lawsuit against Chess.com, Carlsen, and others. Niemann had alleged that the accusations against him were an attempt to protect Carlsen’s reputation.
Attorneys representing Chess.com expressed their satisfaction with the resolution, stating that their clients are pleased to move past the litigation for the benefit of the chess community.
Overall, the reinstatement of Niemann’s account marks the end of a turbulent chapter in the world of chess, with both sides now looking to put the dispute behind them and focus on the game.
