Magnus resigns after first move in rematch with Neimann

World chess legend Magnus Carlsen stunned the sports fraternity on Monday when he resigned after his opening move in an online rematch with American teen grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann.

Carlsen, 31, had lost earlier this month to 19-year-old Niemann at the Sinquefield Cup and later withdrew from the same. Carlsen confirmed his withdrawal by posting a video of Jose Mourinho, saying: “If I speak, I am in big trouble,” indicating that Niemann was probably cheating. And he wasn’t the only one.

World no. 6 Hikaru Nakamura said, “I think Magnus believes that Hans probably is cheating.”

Niemann on the other hand has repeatedly denied cheating during any in-person contest, though he admitted to seeking illegal assistance in online games twice before. However, Chess.com, the platform where Neimann sought illegal assistance, has said he cheated more than twice.