Chess’ Biggest Scandal Is Finally Over

Chess has enjoyed explosive growth in recent years, and there are some fairly intuitive reasons why: COVID-19 pushing people to rediscover socially distanced hobbies; the rise of YouTube and Twitch chess streamers; and the success of Netflix drama The Queen’s Gambit. <img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:875/0*-aIbDBw68lpOwuWI" style="height:775px; width:700px" /> Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@childeye?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Alexis Fauvet</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Unsplash</a> But a far more outlandish topic thrust chess into the media spotlight last year: anal beads. In October 2022, mid-ranking teenage chess grandmaster Hans Niemann defeated Magnus Carlson, the defining player of this generation and a strong contender for the greatest chess player in history. Between 2018 and 2020, Carlson enjoyed the sport’s longest unbeaten streak, lasting 125 games and over 2 years. To describe Carlson as dominant would be like calling water slightly damp. For him to lose against Niemann was very surprising, and Carlson himself was suspicious of his young usurper. He withdrew from the competition and wrote cryptic social media posts insinuating that Niemann had cheated. <a href="https://medium.com/@cailiansavage1/chess-biggest-scandal-is-finally-over-3cc3738ce6f8">Learn More</a>