Hans Niemann accuses Chess.com of bias and unfair treatment of non-streamers

Hans Niemann criticizes Chess.com for bias after banning Vladimir Kramnik, accusing the site of favoring streamers.

Controversial chess star Hans Niemann has lashed out at Chess.com, accusing the platform of bias and unfair treatment after the site’s recent disciplinary action against former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik. On December 11, Kramnik was banned for six months from participating in Chess.com events after he continued to accuse opponents of cheating, despite being warned against doing so publicly.

Niemann, who has been embroiled in his own cheating scandal, was quick to defend Kramnik, using the occasion to renew his accusations against Chess.com. In a heated response to the platform’s actions, Niemann argued that Chess.com cannot be trusted and is biased toward its “ambassadors,” including popular streamers like GM Hikaru Nakamura. He criticized the platform for not holding Nakamura accountable for allegedly making unfounded accusations against other players, including young talents such as Erigaisi and Tang.

“When all of Chess.com’s streamers engaged in an all-out defamation blitz against me, they fanned the flames,” Niemann tweeted. “We cannot trust a FOR-PROFIT business to act fairly as a regulatory body.”

Niemann’s comments stem from his own tumultuous relationship with Chess.com, which began when he was accused of cheating in over-the-board tournaments, particularly in his games against Magnus Carlsen. Although no proof was found to back these claims, emails revealed that Niemann had indeed cheated in some online games, leading to a high-profile defamation lawsuit against Carlsen, Nakamura, and Chess.com itself.

Despite the ongoing legal battles and bad blood between Niemann and Chess.com, it remains to be seen how the platform will respond to his latest allegations. Given the history of tension, this feud is far from over.