Susan Polgar: I cut my friendships with some fellow GMs because they were caught red handed cheating

After 19-year-old American grandmaster Hans Niemann defeated Magnus Carlsen in the third round of the Sinquefield Cup 2022, the World Chess Champion decided to withdraw from the event. Rumors that Magnus Carlsen suspected Niemann was cheating started spreading over social medias and the topic of cheating in chess is the top news in mass medias ever since. After chess.com revealed in their 72-page report that Niemann was not the only super-grandmaster caught cheating online, the speculations of who has cheated overwhelmed the chess world. Just today, Norwegian government broadcasting company NRK disclosed that the President of the Norwegian Chess Federation IM Joachim Birger Nilsen admitted he cheated online during the Pro Chess League played on chess.com in 2016/2017 season.

Speaking about the trending topic, one of the best female chess player of all times Susan Polgar published a statement in which she says that she cut friendships with fellow grandmasters who were caught cheating red-handed. Susan Polgar was targeted on social medias after congratulating Hans Niemann for his victory in the first round of the US Chess Championship. Referring to the unacceptable insulting messages she received afterwards, Polgar wrote: “I have to say that sometimes I am embarrassed by the behavior and conduct of some of the chess “so called” fans. It is more like “chess trolls” or “chess jerks”. I may not be perfect. But I have always tried my best to be fair and objective, especially when dealing with extra sensitive situations. When something good happens, I point it out, and give praise. When something bad happens, I also do the same. I detest cheating with a passion. I do not care if it is online or in person. Cheating is cheating. I was on the receiving end of chess cheating several times in the past so I am extra sensitive about it. I cut my friendships with some fellow GMs, and lost all respect for them, because they were caught red handed cheating. I have never defended cheaters, ever.“

Yesterday when I posted about GM Hans Niemann winning his first round game at the 2022 US Championships, dozens insulted me, and used words that cannot be repeated. Some even accused me of defending an admitted cheater. What I pointed out was 99% of the chess players out there would collapse mentally and emotionally under this kind of scrutiny and embarrassment, especially at 19. Some may even be hiding under a rock and not show up. But this kid, who cheated online, got caught, and was humiliated in front of millions of people, kept his cool, showed up, and won. That deserved praise. He may lose tomorrow or many more games. But this one game still deserved praise. But just because I praised this accomplishment, it did not change any fact. What we all know so far is he admitted to cheating online. Cheating is bad, whether 1 time or 100+ times. We are still waiting for the FIDE investigation to find out if cheating did or did not occur OTB. So until when that comes out, I am not going to speculate.

Facts are facts, and I will only deal with facts, not rumors or theories, especially when there could be massive consequences for a human being. How would you like people to treat you if you are in the same situation? Fair and objective? So that is how we should all behave.“, concluded Susan Polgar

The timetable of events related to the Carlsen – Niemann case: