Carlsen to face Niemann next month in Paris

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
8/10/2024 – Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann are paired up against each other in the semifinals of the Speed Chess Championship, set to take place as an in-person event in Paris - though games will be played on computers. In the other semifinal, Hikaru Nakamura will play against Alireza Firouzja. The semis, the finals and the match for third place will take place on 6-8 September. | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

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In-person but not over-the-board

At the recent World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships in Astana, WR Chess, with Magnus Carlsen on the top board, and GMHans.com, with Hans Niemann on the top board, were paired up against each other in both sections. Carlsen sat out the matches, as Ian Nepomniachtchi took his spot and faced Niemann.

A huge controversy grabbed the world's attention once Carlsen withdrew from the Sinquefield Cup in 2022 after losing a classical game against Niemann. Public statements, lawsuits, investigations and settlements followed. The contenders did not play a single over-the-board game since then. But now they cannot escape it, and according to the interviews they gave to chess.com, it seems like we will finally get to see the much-anticipated confrontation.

The players will face off in the semifinals of the Speed Chess Championship. This year's series will see the final stages (semis, final and match for third place) taking place at Espot in Paris on 6-8 September.

Niemann stunned Wesley So in the quarterfinals, while Carlsen got the better of Arjun Erigaisi. The other semifinal will see Alireza Firouzja facing Hikaru Nakamura.

The event in Paris will feature the four qualified players competing on computers in a series of 5-minute, 3-minute and 1-minute games (all with 1-second increments):

  • 90 minutes of 5+1 games
  • 60 minutes of 3+1 games
  • 30 minutes of 1+1 games

Speed Chess Championship 2024

Carlsen 1 - 0 Arjun

3-minute game

All games - SCC quarterfinals


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Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.