Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann in anti-cheating measures debate
On the eve of the premier of Netflix UNTOLD 2026: Chess Mates (the scandal Carlsen – Niemann), Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann entered in an anti-cheating measures debate on Twitter/X.
Hikaru Nakamura, playing the Candidates Chess 2026, was unhappy with what happens in Cyprus. Speaking live on Kick with Jon Ludvig Hammer and Fiona Steil-Antoni, Nakamura called the security protocols “nonsense”. Players are scanned before and after games, with strict controls and multiple checks in place. “At some point you have to ask… who are we? Mossad agents in Iran or what? We’re just chess players,” said Nakamura.
Hans Niemann, playing in Grenke Freestyle Chess 2026, replied to Nakamura, “Historically, Hikaru Nakamura has made numerous public accusations against other players without consistently providing strong evidence or facing meaningful accountability. Now that stricter anti-cheating measures are being implemented, he appears to object to them. If he genuinely believes that over-the-board cheating is so difficult, it raises questions about why he made such serious allegations during events like the Sinquefield Cup.”
Catch up on the Nakamura – Niemann story from Sinquefield Cup in the handy timeline here.