Hans Niemann has withdrawn last minute from Paris Freestyle 2025. The news came right after the official technical meeting on April 5 at 19:00 CET. Later the same afternoon Norwegian TV 2 announced that the main reason for Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025 is the implementation of new anti-cheating measures. The organizers have cited “personal reasons”. There is no official statement from Hans Niemann’s camp as of today, April 6 8:00 CEST. See the developing story Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025 / See all details of Freestyle Paris 2025 here
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As we are awaiting the official reaction by Hans Niemann, here is a collection of reactions by the chess world
Patricia Llaneza (@PattyLlaneza Twitter/X): He’s letting his withdrawal speak for itself.
Zachariya (@zachariya55 Twitter/X): This guy might be searching for convincing reason to share in public – my only question is if he’s confident that he never cheated then why would he deny the lie detector test that Dubov claimed and now withdrawing from this tournament after new anti cheating system was announced
Anish Giri: Classical, a lot of drawing. Freestyle, a lot of withdrawing #TweetOftheDay
Popileviz (Reddit): Didn’t he literally go to Russia recently because no one was inviting him to tournaments? The vibrations are off on this one
Imaginary-Ebb-1724 (Reddit): Now I’m interested in this “higher level” security. We’ve seen Hans with metal, electronic and thermal detectors now. Are they gonna start CT scanning brains for neuralink lol.
kramnikstudentc24 (@kramnikstudent on Tiwtter/X): Chess Song: Disappearing stars (Hans Niemann & Alireza Firouza)
Chess Lifestyle (@chess_lifestyle Twitter/X): This is going to be the biggest “I told you so” from Magnus to Jan Henric Buettner
Hans Niemann fan account: new propaganda run by Magnus
Weshtonio (Reddit): Guy complaining about not being invited withdraws after being invited.
rio_ARC (Reddit): Kramnik, Hans Nieman, Magnus, Hikaru in the same room. Seemed too good to be true
yoda17 (Reddit): Backing out of the lie detector test with Dubov and now withdrawing from this sure isn’t going to do Hans any favors with the crowd that thinks he’s cheated over the board
Brad Crockett (@pizzapimp812 on Twitter/X): Organizers announced new security technology: The Bead Detector 9000!
trews96 (Reddit): If he had placed last he would have made $5,000 still. And it goes up to $200,000 for first place.
Thorsten Cmiel: Hans could have played
anyonecandoanything (Reddit): the lack of chess speaks for itself
Sad_Sir1605 (Reddit): The security equipment is on hire from the local hospital’s colonoscopy department
Coming this year: Netflix UNTOLD 2025 – the chess cheating scandal Carlsen – Niemann
Kevin Brodi: Après Firouzja c’est Niemann qui se retire du Freestyle Chess Paris
The Other Guy (@Gyan49485 on Twitter/X): I don’t think people even begin to see how silly this speculation is. If they decide to increase security and Hans is indeed a cheater, he can decide not to cheat and pocket easy cash. And the field is so stacked that people will understand even if someone finished 10th or 12th.
