Garry Kasparov: Carlsen’s behavior was unacceptable
After 19-year-old American grandmaster Hans Niemann defeated Magnus Carlsen in the third round of the Sinquefield Cup 2022, the World Chess Champion decided to withdraw from the event. Rumors that Magnus Carlsen suspected Niemann was cheating started spreading over social medias and the “Carlsen – Niemann” controversy is the top news in mass medias ever since. Legendary grandmaster and former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov described Carlsen’s withdrawal as an act with no precedent in the past 50 years, adding that “unless the chess world is to be dragged down into endless pathetic rumors, clear statements must be made“. Magnus Carlsen broke the silence on September 26, publishing the official statement in which he accuses Niemann of cheating more, and more recently, than the American has publicly admitted.
Garry Kasparov again spoke about the controversy that hit the chess world in the interview with Carl Fredrik Johansson from Uppsala Chess+ Academy, saying that Carlsen’s behavior was unacceptable. Speaking about Carlsen’s decision to withdraw from the World Chess Championship, Kasparov explained: “I was surprised by his decision to walk away, but I understand the pressure that was on him. I understand the motivation. It’s really tough to play tournaments and matches for years and years; anything but winning is a disaster. It’s tremendous pressure. He probably got tired“.
Talking about the happenings related to the Carlsen – Niemann case and the game in which Niemann defeated Carlsen at the Sinquefield Cup, Kasparov said: “I was in Saint Louis. I spoke to people who were involved directly in this case. I don’t see an evidence that could be convincing (…) I understand his frustration, but leaving the tournament is unacceptable. Even if he had proof, but there was no proof, there is zero evidence (of cheating) in that specific game. It was really bad for chess. It was bad for Saint Louis. This was one of the most important tournaments, if not the most important tournament in the world of chess. And I think that his behavior was unacceptable“.
See the complete interview in which Garry Kasparov speaks about Grand Chess Tour, the Sinquefield Cup 2022, Carlsen’s behavior, cheating in chess, KGB connections with FIDE, and how he beat Nil-Gustav Renman in Skara 1980:
The timetable of events related to the Carlsen – Niemann case: