On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Wild allegations swirl around chess cheating scandal
The world of professional chess is being rocked by a scandal surrounding grandmaster Hans Niemann, who has been accused of cheating his way to victory hundreds of times. There is even one outlandish theory that involves vibrating anal beads to help inform of correct moves to make.
It all began earlier this year when the 19-year-old Niemann shockingly defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen in a stunning upset that helped ignite the cheating allegations.
The anal beads theory — which remains unconfirmed — suggested the beads would pass through tournament security, undetected, and allow Niemann's coach to signal to him which moves to make. When Niemann showed up in St. Louis for a tournament this week, he was the only player to have his backside scanned with a metal detector upon entering the tournament.
After losing to Niemann, Carlsen withdrew from a major chess tournament that had more than $350,000 in prize money and sent a cryptic Tweet that seemed to accuse Niemann of wrongdoing.
Chess.com, the top Chess website in the world, recently released a 72-page report that outlines the argument against Niemann, accusing him of cheating hundreds of times.
The report alleges that Niemann used illegal computer aids to get assistance in more than 100 online games, many of which came with cash prizes for winning.
The report says in part:
Outside his online play, Hans is the fastest rising top player in Classical chess in modern history. Looking purely at rating, Hans should be classified as a member of this group of top young players. While we don’t doubt that Hans is a talented player, we note that his results are statistically extraordinary.
Niemann admitted to cheating twice in online play when he was younger and was banned from Chess.com in 2020 due to what the website called "blatant cheating." While he admitted to cheating in online games, he denies having ever cheated during an in-person match.
What made his victory over Carlsen so stunning is that the latter was in the middle of a two-year run of unbeaten matches, while Niemann was the lowest-ranked player in the tournament and considered to be the least likely player to defeat Carlsen.
One of the other allegations is that Niemann was able to see Carlsen's strategy ahead of time, which allowed him to anticipate his opening moves.
Niemann has maintained his innocence, saying after a match in St. Louis this week: "I’m going to play my best chess here regardless of the pressure that I’m under, and that’s all I have to say about this game. Chess speaks for itself, that’s all I can say."
More must-reads:
- The most notorious sports feuds of all time
- Rays former first-round pick 'fully recovered' after brain surgery
- The 'Five game-winning-drives in a season' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Andy Reid’s main flaw will cost Chiefs a trip to the playoffs
The Kansas City Chiefs' postseason aspirations suffered a massive blow after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 31-28 on Thursday. The loss dropped the reigning AFC champions to 6-6 on the season, leaving them with virtually no margin for error. The officiating made numerous questionable calls that may have favored Jerry Jones' team. However, the lack of discipline and numerous penalties have been a hallmark of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid's teams for years. Chiefs' lack of discipline will cost them a playoff spot Per OPTA Stats, the Chiefs committed five pass interference penalties in the second half alone, four of them on defense. That's the most PI penalties by any NFL team in the second half of a game in the past 35 years. When asked about it, Reid said they needed to be better in that regard, something he's said at least a dozen times this season. Then, he actually stood by the way his players tried to cover wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens: "I'm not always going to agree with the calls, but the calls were made," Reid said, per Charles Goldman. "They've got some big physical receivers, and my guys were fighting. You've got to stay aggressive against those guys. That's the way you do it." Granted, some of the calls were terrible, but this has been a frequent talking point with the Chiefs. Even if he actually agrees with the defensive players' approach to covering those two guys — which clearly didn't work, as they combined for 200 yards and one score — the lack of adjustments and accountability will ultimately doom this team this season.
Jerry Jones claims Jets turned down absurd trade offer involving Micah Parsons, Quinnen Williams
Connor McDavid made an egregious mistake with Oilers
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid struggled to find the words to describe the team’s 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. The decision dropped the Oilers’ record to 10-10-5 for the season, and McDavid looked defeated during his postgame interview. The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Oilers. Why did Connor McDavid stay? The Oilers are grappling with the same issues that have plagued them since McDavid joined the NHL in the fall of 2015. Edmonton’s secondary offensive support for McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is minimal, and their goaltending remains a significant concern. Considering the Oilers have faced these problems for so long, it makes one wonder why a generational talent like McDavid chose to sign on for two more years of this, especially given the bargain he struck when he signed for just $12.5M a season. McDavid’s choice to sign with Edmonton before even considering free agency might become one of the biggest “what-ifs” in NHL history. However, McDavid opted for stability in a familiar market, with a team that has been competitive for most of his NHL career. Ultimately, McDavid decided to stay loyal to the Oilers, but the two-year term seemed like a warning shot to Edmonton. So far, that warning appears to have fallen on deaf ears. The timing of McDavid’s extension was quite unusual. The superstar had a clear route to unrestricted free agency, which could have been one of the most incredible stories in NHL history if it had come to pass. McDavid had the chance to be the highest-profile player in NHL history to reach free agency since Wayne Gretzky in 1996. He held leverage against the Oilers and could have waited out the season, sparking a bidding war for his services. This would have boosted his star power and changed what a superstar’s career could look like. Instead, McDavid chose familiarity, even though the timing of his decision wasn’t convenient. Connor McDavid's decision to re-sign could be costly McDavid’s signing has delayed his free agency by 24 months, and some people dismiss this decision by arguing that McDavid will still get paid and reach free agency after the salary cap has significantly increased. While both points have some truth, the counterargument is compelling. Instead of becoming a free agent at 29, McDavid will do so at 31. It might seem minor, but many NHLers see their skills decline after 30. Another factor is that when McDavid finally signs, the new CBA rules on contract length will apply, meaning the maximum deal with his current team will be seven years, and he’ll only be able to land six years on the open market. Although this one-year reduction isn’t a significant issue, it will likely cause McDavid to leave money on the table on his next deal. In terms of missed opportunities, McDavid would have been the first generational player in NHL free agency to test the market in the prime of his career. While it would have made great theater for the NHL, it would also have been an opportunity for McDavid to shift the league’s balance of power toward whichever team he joined, while helping reset the salary structure for superstar NHLers. McDavid is clearly not a $12.5M player, but like many top NHLers before him, he took a "hometown discount" to stay with his current team. For some NHLers, taking that discount has worked out well (Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Nathan MacKinnon). Far more often, the savings from a reduced salary cap are wasted. Even Crosby, who traded tens of millions of dollars to play on consistently competitive teams, saw many of those seasons marred by costly mistakes on depth players with inflated cap hits (Jack Johnson, Erik Gudbranson, Nick Bjugstad). Crosby essentially subsidized poor roster decisions with his lower cap hits, and he would no doubt do so again, given the Stanley Cup championships Pittsburgh has won during his career. McDavid’s decision to re-sign essentially upholds the NHL’s long-standing tradition of superstars taking less money to stay with their team, and no doubt he did so while feeling loyalty to the Oilers fans who have endured the same heartbreaks he has. The reality is, McDavid has gone through a decade without winning the Cup, despite multiple front-office makeovers, coaching changes, cap mismanagement and an inability to surround him with real depth. And while the depth has improved over the last few years, the “we’re almost there” mentality won’t put a Stanley Cup ring on McDavid’s finger. All of this to say, McDavid probably owed it to himself to explore free agency at least to see if a team with a more precise winning blueprint could emerge, giving him a better chance at a title. July 1, 2026, would have offered a window into that, but McDavid chose not to look, and it could come back to haunt him if he never wins a championship. McDavid had all the leverage, which makes his decision baffling, because exploring free agency didn’t require him to leave Edmonton. He could have casually explored his options, had discussions with teams, listened to their pitches and then re-signed with Edmonton—something that might have pushed the Oilers to step up their game and get creative with their roster. But the Oilers didn’t need to worry about losing McDavid, and it seems this has led to some apathy across the organization, as they don’t seem to be a group hungry to win. Generational players across all leagues have frequently tested free agency. NBA superstar LeBron James famously took his talents from Cleveland to Miami nearly 15 years ago, and MLB superstar pitcher Paul Skenes will likely follow suit one day. It’s common, and not all players do it because they’re leaving; they do it for a variety of reasons. They can because the process gives them power, and it’s one of the few times they get to fully control their own destiny. McDavid could have taken a different route, but he didn’t. While he’s given the team a short leash to build a winner around him, he could have kept that leash even tighter, which might have pushed the Oilers to solve their roster issues more quickly. It could also have generated a story that might have become a sensation across all platforms — a broader narrative focusing on a star-driven tale on a smaller scale than MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani’s. The buzz would have been enormous and arguably the biggest NHL story since the Oilers traded Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings. Moving on could have been a great branding opportunity for McDavid to become even more mainstream, but he chose the safe, comfortable route in Edmonton. It’s a loyalty decision, and it’s completely understandable given that the Oilers have been close to a title in the last two years and he has built a bond with his teammates. For his legacy, though, he might need to chase greatness in a different city in the next two-and-a-half years.
Dallas Cowboys' chances of beating Lions just increased with an update the NFL world will hate to hear
The 6-5-1 Dallas Cowboys are looking to extend their win streak to four in a row next Thursday when they take on the 7-5 Detroit Lions on primetime television. Though the Lions are known as one of the best teams in the conference, they are struggling to be consistent on offense, and the defense has serious problems, too. There are a lot of factors that go into Detroit's biggest issues on offense, which was known as one of the scariest units in the league not that long ago. But it all starts with the trenches, where they simply haven't been the same. The Lions' offensive line's struggles reached the point where they had to draw former second-team All-Pro center Frank Ragnow out of retirement. However, Ragnow's return is over before it even got a chance to get going. Lions announce Ragnow failed his physical ahead of Cowboys matchup On Saturday, the Lions announced Ragnow's activation to the 53-man roster isn't happening after he failed his physical. "The medical exam revealed a Grade 3 hamstring strain that will keep him from participating for the remainder of the regular season," the team's statement reads. "For that reason, Frank will not be rejoining the Lions." It was already unlikely Ragnow would play in Week 14 due to his inactivity this year. However, the Lions are reaching must-win territory, so it wasn't out of the question. This update confirms it. It's a disappointing update even though it helps the Cowboys' chances of winning. You never want to see a star's return get ruined before it even starts. But it is what it is in football. With that being said, there's no denying it's an objectively positive development for a Dallas team starving for any break it can get as it tries to make the playoffs. Cowboys' rising DL will face struggling Lions OL Over the last few years, the motor driving the Lions' success was its offensive line. Now that it's struggling, Jared Goff's play is showing flaws, and the run game has been inconsistent. On the other side, the Cowboys' defense is quickly improving. Since Quinnen Williams' arrival via trade, Matt Eberflus' unit has shown an ability to pressure the quarterback and stop the run. While it hasn't been perfect, it's that interior defensive line that's sparked quality play. The Cowboys are 3.5-point underdogs against the Lions heading into Week 14 but this advantage in the trenches could position them to pull off a third consecutive upset. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*'); This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Nov 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Steelers May Gain Early Advantage Over Ravens After Rough Injury In Baltimore
Regardless of the outcome of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 13 showdown against the Buffalo Bills, the biggest contest of the season will come in Week 14 versus the Baltimore Ravens. Whichever franchise wins that game will be in first place of the AFC North through 14 weeks. The two organizations could be set to be on a collision course for Week 18, which could make for flex scheduling and a Sunday Night Football matchup to determine the division. Things are starting to get extremely interesting, but the Ravens have the advantage with a mini-bye week after playing on Thanksgiving day. Joe Burrow returned for the Cincinnati Bengals and did a huge favor for Pittsburgh Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his team. Defeating the Ravens by a score of 32-14 was much appreciated in the Steel City. Even if the Steelers were able to beat the Bills and improve to 7-5, the winner of the Week 14 will hold a lead in the AFC North due to head-to-head record. Barring a setback from Aaron Rodgers, he will be Pittsburgh's quarterback moving forward, despite a broken wrist on his non-throwing hand. Every part of the Steelers' offense has been inconsistent in 2025. One of the biggest concerns has been the wide receiving corps. Even DK Metcalf has not lived up to expectations, which has been a massive disappointment. There is, however, a possibility that Rodgers and co. catch a big break looking ahead to Week 14's showdown with the Ravens. Baltimore's top cornerback could be in line to watch the game from the sidelines. On Thanksgiving, Nate Wiggins suffered a foot injury and it appeared as if he could barely walk on the sidelines. It turns out that it isn't as serious as it may have looked, but he is unlikely to be ready to play against the Steelers. Baltimore is rather thin at the cornerback position, so it will be important for Rodgers to take advantage of the lack of depth. Wiggins has emerged as an important defender for the Ravens in 2025. His potential absence could seriously be an issue for his team when a crucial AFC North contest takes place down in Maryland. Pittsburgh has refused to get the receivers involved all that often throughout the course of the campaign, but it would be wise to get them more involved, especially if Wiggins is on the sidelines due to an injury. The Steelers know how unfortunate it can be to lose important defenders in games. It completely changes the scheme that can be run and truly affects the ability of the unit to accomplish exactly what it wants to. Not having someone like Wiggins will almost certainly give Pittsburgh an advantage. The more intriguing part will be watching to see if Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith attacks the expected weakness. Steelers' Season May Be Close To Over Without A Win Over Baltimore In Week 14 Anything can happen, but if Pittsburgh falls to the Ravens, it's going to be hard to bounce back, particularly with a game against a desperate Detroit Lions team remaining on the schedule. On the other hand, Baltimore's December slate isn't too easy either. A lot can happen in the AFC North during the final stretch of the season, with scenarios varying. The Bengals can even win the division at 8-9. The Steelers' offense will need to take advantage of Wiggins' absence to gain an advantage in Week 14, which could give them a big-time path to winning the most puzzling division in all of football.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
