Hans Niemann talks on his withdrawal from Paris Freestyle 2025
Hans Niemann has withdrawn last minute from Paris Freestyle 2025. The news came right after the official technical meeting on April 5 at 19:00 CET. Later the same afternoon Norwegian TV 2 announced that the main reason for Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025 is the implementation of new anti-cheating measures. The organizers have cited “personal reasons”. There was no official statement until today: exactly one month after the start of the story. See the full timeline of events and the first statement by Hans Niemann on the withdrawal from Paris.
05.04. Norwegian TV reports that Niemann is withdrawing after he was informed about anti-cheating
05.04 Breaking: Hans Niemann withdraws from Freestyle Chess Paris 2025 (rolling updates)
06.04 Reactions to Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025
06.04 Chess Song: Disappearing stars (Hans Niemann & Alireza Firouza) #TweetOftheDay
06.04 The organizer of Freestyle Chess Paris comments on the withdraw of Hans Niemann
17.04 Hans Niemann shows at round 1 of Grenke Chess after 12 days radio silence
17.04. Round 1 pairings of Grenke with Hans Niemann playing
19.04 Interview with Hans Niemann at Grenke
21.04 Vladimir Kramnik is the bodyguard of Hans Niemann (Video interview)
05.05. Hans Niemann talks on his withdrawal from Paris Freestyle 2025
Hans Niemann statement on his withdrawal from Paris Freestyle 2025
Now that some of the dust has settled, I want to address my withdrawal from Paris. I didn’t immediately issue a public statement because, frankly, I was deeply frustrated by the organizers’ and TV2’s absurd speculation suggesting my decision was linked to what they dramatically called “new, advanced anti-cheating measures.”
The article falsely claimed that the last message I received referenced “enhanced measures.” To be absolutely clear—this is completely false. Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects within the chess mafia eagerly amplified this ridiculous narrative. At the time, I believed publicly responding would only legitimize accusations that have no basis in reality.
I withdrew from the tournament strictly for personal reasons that I prefer not to disclose publicly right now. What’s been particularly disappointing is witnessing how quickly some people jumped on this moment to perpetuate three years of baseless accusations against me. I genuinely wonder when they’ll finally accept reality.
A quick note regarding the polygraph: the initial test was canceled for logistical reasons, but after traveling, I have now arranged to complete it very soon. I am taking this polygraph solely because it was a condition of the match—not because I have anything to prove. Every single official chess organization has repeatedly affirmed that attempts to question my legitimacy as a player are malicious, baseless, and entirely absurd. The only thing left for me to prove is that I can become the World Chess Champion.
Lastly, despite being wrongfully blacklisted by my own country and unfairly excluded from almost every major tournament, my passion and love for chess remain stronger than ever. I deeply regret not being able to compete in Paris and cherish every chance I get to play at the highest level. I look forward to letting my chess speak for itself, and I sincerely hope my relentless detractors can finally leave their misguided hatred behind.
End of statement