When Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann sat down to play each other earlier this month in the third round of chess’s Sinquefield Cup, few could have predicted the chaos that would unfold.
Niemann, a 19-year-old American and the lowest-ranked player in the tournament, was facing a man who had dominated chess for more than a decade.
Carlsen, 31 and from Norway, was undefeated in 53 games in classical chess, and had the advantage of playing white – thereby moving first.
But if Niemann appeared daunted, he didn’t show it. After confidently nullifying the advantage of the first move, he gradually took over the game. Facing a difficult defence in the endgame, Carlsen faltered and soon resigned in a hopeless position.
The result was shocking – but nothing compared to what was to follow.
Soon after the game, Carlsen withdrew from the tournament without explanation, despite there being another six rounds left – a virtually unprecedented move at the top level of chess.
As commentators, players and fans tried to understand why he had quit, Carlsen posted a tweet that included a video of football manager Jose Mourinho saying: “If I speak I am in big trouble.”
