Chess-Niemann gone AWOL as Freestyle Paris Grand Slam underway

FILE PHOTO: Hans Niemann of the U.S. poses ahead of his Speed Chess Championship semi-final against International Chess Federation (FIDE) world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway, in Paris, France, September 5, 2024. REUTERS/Julien Pretot/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - Hans Niemann, the chess grandmaster at the heart of an alleged cheating scandal, has yet to provide an explanation on his late withdrawal from the Freestyle Grand Slam in Paris.

Niemann, who was accused of cheating by world number one Magnus Carlsen in 2023 before the matter was settled outside court, received a wild card for the event but informed organisers he was pulling out for 'personal reasons' less than 48 hours before the start of the 12-player tournament.