Netflix announces "Untold: Chess Mates", documentary on the Carlsen–Niemann controversy

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
2/25/2026 – Netflix has announced "Untold: Chess Mates", a new documentary examining the controversy surrounding Hans Niemann's victory over Magnus Carlsen at the 2022 Sinquefield Cup. The film revisits Carlsen's withdrawal, the subsequent allegations of cheating and the intense public reaction that followed. It also places the dispute within the broader context of modern chess, including the growth of online play and the challenges it has created for trust and governance at the elite level. | Photo: Netflix
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally.
FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before. 

Chess in the mainstream

Netflix has announced Untold: Chess Mates, a new feature-length documentary within its ongoing Untold sports series. The episode is scheduled for release on 7 April, marking the franchise's first focus on chess. It follows Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom (31 March) and is executive produced by Chapman Way and Maclain Way, with directing duties handled by Thomas Tancred.

The film examines the events surrounding Hans Niemann's victory over Magnus Carlsen at the Sinquefield Cup in September 2022. That result was followed by Carlsen's withdrawal from the tournament and a series of public allegations and counter-statements that quickly escalated into one of the most prominent disputes in modern chess.

Niemann had entered the event as a late replacement and scored a notable win against Carlsen in round three. The following day, Carlsen withdrew and posted a cryptic message on social media, which was widely interpreted as implying concerns over fair play. The episode revisits the immediate aftermath, including heightened security measures at the venue and the intense public reaction within the chess community.

Subsequent developments included Carlsen's public statement asserting that Niemann had cheated "more - and more recently - than he has publicly admitted", a report by chess.com alleging extensive online rule violations by Niemann, and a civil lawsuit filed by Niemann in October 2022 against Carlsen, chess.com, Play Magnus Group, Daniel Rensch and Hikaru Nakamura, seeking damages of at least $100 million. An out-of-court agreement between Chess.com and Niemann was reached in August 2023.

According to Netflix, the documentary also addresses Niemann's efforts to restore his reputation and the prospect of a future rematch with Carlsen, framing the dispute within the wider context of the rapid growth of online chess and the challenges it has posed for governance and trust in the sport.

Netflix synopsis:

Magnus Carlsen - widely regarded as the greatest chess player of all time - is challenged by rising star Hans Niemann, who capitalises on the meteoric growth of online chess. Niemann's ascension culminates in an epic, controversy-shrouded victory over Carlsen, eventually leading to allegations of cheating. Determined to clear his name, Niemann fights his way back to the top of the chess world, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch with Carlsen.

Untold series, Netflix

Read the announcement of the series on Tudum by Netflix

Links

<< Starting Wednesday: Caruana star participant at Saint Louis Masters
The Power of Initiative: Episode 10 - Bogo Indian (Black) >>
Topics: Hans Niemann, Magnus Carlsen, netflix
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.
Discussion and Feedback Submit your feedback to the editors

See also

Hans Niemann becomes Diving Chess Champion in Cape Town

12/6/2025 – Next Monday, the final of the Freestyle Grand Slam 2025 will begin in Grootenbosch (South Africa). To mark the opening, a diving chess competition was organised in Cape Town, which was won by Hans Niemann. Some participants of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam showed off their skills in a simultaneous match against local chess enthusiasts. | Photo: Stev Bonhage / Freestyle Chess
More...
 8

See also

Freestyle Chess in Las Vegas - with Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann

6/24/2025 – For the first time, the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour comes to the United States. From July 16 to 20, Wynn Las Vegas will host 16 of the world’s top chess players, competing for $750,000 in prize money in a format designed to reward creativity and skill. The event marks the fourth stop of the 2025 global tour and is the first to welcome a live audience. | Photo: Freestyle Chess
More...
 7

Video

60m English Anti-Bayonet

King’s Indian fans who choose the Mar del Plata attack (7...Nc6) against White’s classical system (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0) usually aim for a complex position with mutual attacks on open wings, requiring long-term strategic planning and tactical sharpness in critical moments. Computers often do not know how to handle the arising complex strategic positions, which suits players who like to think on their own instead of memorizing long variations. However, the fashionable Bayonet Attack (9.b4) interferes with Black’s ideas. After Black’s main move 9...Nh5 the positions opens, the lines get forced and computer analysis is important again. But this DVD offers an antidote against White’s Bayonet Attack, namely 9...a5! This move leads to sound positions with very few concrete lines, in which the focus is on strategy not on tactics. Objectively chances are equal but if Black knows what to do things might quickly become dangerous for White.