Irrespective of how Hans Niemann progresses in his Chess Career here on forward, the St. Louis Chess Club will always remain an unforgettable and infamous part of his life. It was here, where Hans Niemann was accused of cheating by none other than arguably the Greatest Chess Player of All Time, Magnus Carlsen two years ago.
His unexpected victory over World Champion Magnus Carlsen raised suspicions, after his performance at the 2022 Sinquefield Cup, held at the St. Louis Chess Club. Carlsen later also went on to withdraw from the tournament by suggesting Niemann had cheated though no evidence was presented at the time. Hans Niemann later came clean about cheating on some online games but did not admit to cheating on any offline games.
Now, 2 years later, after all the dust has finally settled, Hans Niemann was allowed to play in the St. Louis Club for the first time since the 2022 Sinquefield Cup. This was because the St. Louis Club can’t just deny one of the best American players the chance to play in the US Chess Championship 2024. And Hans Niemann has used this opportunity to his own advantage to prove to the world his calibre at the place that labelled him a cheater.
Going up against one of the best defensive players of the game in Lenier Dominguez Perez who by the way, was on a 44-game unbeaten streak in Classical, Hans showed no mercy. Niemann went on to play his signature Italian, which he also played against Fabiano Caruana, but this time he was hellbent on winning Round 3. Hans Niemann outclassed Lenier in the middle game as he kept on putting pressure on the important squares and lining up attacks against the black King.
For most of the game what looked like an equal position was being completely dictated by Hans Niemann. Against Lenier who is a very solid positional player and who likes to not trade his pieces away, Niemann thrust forward with his pawns towards the Black King making it uncomfortable for Lenier on the board. And that’s how he started tearing apart the Black position. Soon enough Niemann had the advantage. With Black’s knight on b6 barely holding down the position, an advancing pawn on the A file spelt all sorts of problems.
What ensued was a masterclass in the Same side chess middle games. But in this instance, never once did Hans Niemann let Lenier get even a whiff of advantage. It was like a boxer practising with a boxing bag. Eventually, the bag was going to fall apart. After some counterplay which achieved nothing for Lenier, the bag did fall apart. And Niemann came out victorious.
This victory against a guy who just doesn’t lose easily marks a significant chapter in Niemann’s journey. With the way he played this game, it won’t be a stretch to say that soon enough Hans Niemann will very well be challenging for the World Championship title.
