Niemann challenges Erigaisi and Caruana to chess match with $100k prize money

Niemann challenges Erigaisi and Caruana to chess match with $100k prize money

American Grandmaster Hans Niemann revealed that he had challenged several top GMs, including Arjun Erigaisi and Fabiano Caruana, to a match with a $100,000 prize for the winner, but they declined the offer.

“After three matches in the ‘Hans Niemann Against the World’ series, I tried to arrange matches with Erigaisi, Caruana, Nakamura, Carlsen, and Dubov. I offered Erigaisi and Caruana $100,000 for the winner (with no financial contribution from them), but they have not accepted yet,” Niemann posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Niemann believes the structure of professional chess needs to evolve and become more akin to UFC or boxing.

“Chess should be like the UFC or boxing – a pure meritocracy. I have no tournaments for the next two months and would happily play matches against any top player. Chess must evolve,” Niemann added.

Norwegian chess champion Magnus Carlsen accused Niemann of cheating after losing to him at the 2022 Sinquefield Cup in St Louis, Missouri. The accusation was later supported by Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura and Chess.com, which suggested Niemann may have cheated at least 100 times online.

Niemann admitted to cheating on Chess.com between the ages of 12 and 16 but denied any wrongdoing afterwards. The chess players – Carlsen, Nakamura, and Niemann – reconciled later that year.