Sat Sep 07 10:03:18 UTC 2024: ## Carlsen Defeats Niemann in Heated Speed Chess Championship Semifinal
**Paris, France** – In a highly anticipated rematch, world chess champion Magnus Carlsen defeated Hans Niemann in the semifinals of the 2024 Speed Chess Championship. The match, played in front of a live crowd for the first time, was marked by tension and technical difficulties, further fueling the rivalry between the two players.
Carlsen secured a decisive 17.5-12.5 victory, building a substantial lead in the initial blitz rounds. The match was further complicated by technical issues experienced by Niemann, who reported problems with his computer mouse and the server.
The match comes on the heels of a long-standing controversy that began in 2022 when Carlsen accused Niemann of cheating in an over-the-board match. While a FIDE investigation concluded that Niemann likely didn’t cheat in the over-the-board game, it did find evidence of cheating in several online games.
Despite the investigation, Carlsen and Niemann’s relationship remains strained, with both players openly expressing their animosity towards one another. After the match, Carlsen indicated that he was relieved it was over, while Niemann suggested Carlsen appeared “broken and mentally destroyed.”
Carlsen’s victory sets up a final showdown against Alireza Firouzja on Sunday. Carlsen expressed a renewed sense of motivation for the final, acknowledging Firouzja’s high level of play and stating that he will need to bring his A-game.
First Piper 