India, Feb. 21 -- Chess fans around the world were left shocked when Jan Henric Buettner announced the participation of Hans Niemann at the upcoming Paris Freestyle Grand Slam event, scheduled for April. Buettner went on to reveal that co-owner Magnus Carlsen, who finished third at Weissenhaus, was against the idea but accepted it.

Carlsen and Niemann have a long history together, which goes back to September 2022 when the Norwegian accused him of cheating at the Sinquefield Cup without providing any evidence. Niemann denied all allegations and admitted to cheating in casual online games as a teenager. Meanwhile, a Chess.com investigation report claimed that Niemann likely cheated in over 100 online games. Since then Carlsen hasn't reall...