Carlsen, Chess.com beat Niemann's $100 million suit over cheating scandal

FILE PHOTO: Magnus Carlsen arrives for the Ninth Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 15, 2023. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci/File Photo

(Reuters) -A Missouri federal court on Tuesday dismissed U.S. chess prodigy Hans Niemann's $100 million defamation lawsuit alleging Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and Chess.com falsely accused him of cheating, though his lawyers said they will pursue their claims in state court.

U.S. District Court Judge Audrey Fleissig rejected Niemann's claims that Carlsen and Chess.com broke antitrust laws by colluding to exclude him from lucrative tournaments. Fleissig also found she did not have jurisdiction over Niemann's state law claims for defamation and breach of contract, among others.