Netflix unveil details of documentary on major chess scandal
While it might not seem like the most thrilling subject on the surface, Netflix’s upcoming documentary about chess is sure to deliver drama. The streaming platform has unveiled plans for a retrospective on the Carlsen vs Niemann scandal that rocked the chess world in 2022.
In 2022, grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, who was the world champion, and Hans Niemann perplexed chess fans. After surprisingly losing their third-round matchup, Carlsen pulled out of the competition in a shock move after suggesting that Niemann had cheated. He provided no evidence for the allegation, but just the mere suggestion was enough to cause series drama.
It then got worse when, in their next tournament meetup, during an online game, Carlsen abruptly resigned again after one move. Niemann eventually admitted that he used to cheat in online games when he was younger but denied all allegations of cheating at this professional level.
In the end, Niemann filed a $100million lawsuit against Carlsen as well as a host of chess organisations, making it one of the biggest scandals in the history of the game.
Now, Netflix has confirmed a documentary diving into the scandal. The news comes just after A24 announce their intention to create a dramatisation of the story. However, the streaming service’s take will be a series, released as part of their Untold project which covers tales and scandals from the sports world.
There have been few details announced about the project, however filming did take place at a series of recent chess tournaments that the players were at. A few high powered leaders in the chess world have also confirmed that they’re involved with the project with the Chess.com’s CEO Erik Allebest hinting that the documentary contains some huge revelations.
“I‘m just gonna tell you I’m terrified because they did a really good job getting Danny Rensch and me talking. I think a lot of things are going to be said in there that are going to be possibly a little surprising for the chess world to find out,” he said on a recent podcast.
It’s unknown whether Niemann is involved with the project or provided any kind of interview for the documentary. But it does seem like Carlsen gave comment as he revealed after qualifying for the Speed Chess Championship Finals, stating, “I’ve sort of said my piece on camera in a documentary that’s coming at some point.”