Netflix's Untold: Chess Mates Delves into the Bizarre Scandal That Rocked the Chess World
The Netflix documentary Untold: Chess Mates takes viewers deep into the ugly side of chess, exploring how lurid online gossip spiraled into a major scandal involving accusations of cheating, a high-stakes lawsuit, and a bitter rivalry that divided the sport. At the center of it all is Hans Niemann, a chess prodigy whose shocking victory over world champion Magnus Carlsen in 2022 led to wild theories, including one about vibrating sex toys being used to direct his play.
The Anal Beads Theory That Captivated the Internet
As Niemann himself notes, "Every conversation I have about chess leads to anal beads." This seemingly absurd claim refers to the online rumor that he cheated against Carlsen by using a vibrating sex toy to receive coded signals during their match. Despite its ridiculous nature, the theory gained traction across social media and even in mainstream press, with figures like Piers Morgan and Trevor Noah mocking the incident. Trevor Noah quipped that with anal beads, "even if you lose, you still kinda win." The documentary uses extensive archive footage to highlight how this gossip turned into a viral sensation, overshadowing the actual game.
A Bitter Rivalry and Legal Battles
The film retraces the escalating feud between Niemann and Carlsen. Niemann, portrayed as a young American upstart who rose through online chess, often makes dramatic statements like, "What price do we pay for genius?!" while staring into the camera. In contrast, Carlsen, the Norwegian champion, dismisses Niemann with faint praise, calling him merely "trying to cosplay as a top chess player." Although Niemann was never found guilty of cheating in over-the-board matches, he later filed a $100 million lawsuit against Carlsen and others, alleging a conspiracy to ruin his reputation. The suit was dismissed by a federal judge, and a settlement was eventually reached, but the allegations fuel much of the documentary's narrative.
Allegations of a "Chess Mafia" Conspiracy
Niemann claims that Carlsen collaborated with the heads of chess.com to bring him down, particularly ahead of a merger between chess.com and Carlsen's gaming websites. He rails against what he calls the "chess mafia," while Carlsen and chess.com executives, including co-founder Erik Allebest and chief chess officer Danny Rensch, dismiss him as delusional. Notably, while Carlsen maintains that Niemann cheated in their 2022 match, chess.com found no evidence that his past online cheating extended to real-world games. The documentary features interviews with these key figures, adding depth to the conflicting accounts.
The Pandemic's Impact on Chess and Niemann's Rise
Untold: Chess Mates also explores how the COVID-19 pandemic transformed chess, with online platforms like chess.com seeing active users surge from 1 million to between 5 and 6 million daily. Netflix's own drama The Queen's Gambit is credited with attracting new players to the sport. During this period, streaming and influencing became crucial, giving outsiders like Niemann a platform. Described as a "chess outcast," he honed his skills in New York's Washington Square Park, reminiscent of a hustler's style. Clips show his teenage years, with wild hair and emotional outbursts during games, which some grandmasters, like Hikaru Nakamura, found unbecoming.
Limited New Insights and a Fading Drama
Ultimately, the documentary offers little new information, largely rehashing the "he said, he said" nature of the scandal. It concludes with a game between Niemann and Carlsen from a year and a half ago, highlighting how the drama has faded from headlines. As Erik Allebest humorously notes, "Anal beads have been super good to us," underscoring the lasting impact of the viral story. While the allegations and rumors persist, Untold: Chess Mates serves as a reminder of how online gossip can overshadow professional sports, leaving a bitter legacy in its wake.
