– I will make a statement after the tournament. Probably on Monday or sometime early next week, says Magnus Carlsen in TV 2’s chess broadcast on Wednesday. The drama surrounding Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann in the Champions Chess Tour is by no means over. Many thought we had reached the climax when the world number one retired after only one move against Niemann, accused of cheating, on Monday this week. But on Wednesday evening, Carlsen took the magazine out of his mouth and spoke for the first time about the noise. – People can draw their own conclusions When asked by TV 2’s expert Jon Ludvig Hammer whether Carlsen thinks Niemann is a cheater, the Norwegian replies: – I would like to say more now about various things, but I will have to wait a bit and then I will try to focus at the tournament. He nevertheless understands that the situation is very special. – I understand very well that the current situation is unfortunate for many, says the world number one. Carlsen, who has just finished the basic game in the Champions Chess Tour, has also spoken to the chess website Chess24. There he was asked why he lost on purpose against Niemann. – I can’t say anything about that. But people can draw their own conclusions, and they definitely have. And I must say that I am very impressed by Niemann’s playing. I think that his mentor must have done a very good job, says Carlsen. Major player – ready for the quarter-finals Despite the row with Niemann, the world number one is wreaking havoc in the Champions Chess Tour and on to the play-offs. Carlsen has ten wins, four draws and one loss after the regular season. American Niemann is also ready for the quarter-finals of the online tournament, but will not meet Carlsen in the quarter-finals – as many in the chess world had hoped for. However, they may be pitted against each other in a possible semi-final or final.
ttn-69
