FIDE reprimands Magnus Carlsen for quitting match after one move but 'shares his deep concerns' about cheating in chess

By Issy Ronald and George Ramsay, CNN

Updated 1655 GMT (0055 HKT) September 24, 2022

Magnus Carlsen is ranked world No. 1.

(CNN)The International Chess Federation (FIDE) reprimanded former world champion Magnus Carlsen for resigning from an online chess match against fellow grandmaster Hans Niemann after just one move but added that it shared the world No.1's «deep concerns about the damage that cheating brings to chess.»

«We strongly believe that there were better ways to handle this situation,» FIDE said in a statement released on Friday. «The World Champion has a moral responsibility attached to his status, since he is viewed as a global ambassador of the game. His actions impact the reputation of his colleagues, sportive results, and eventually can be damaging to our game.»The two players were participating in the Julius Baer Generation Cup on Monday when Carlsen turned off his screen and left the match without explanation.Earlier this month, the Norwegian withdrew from the Sinquefield Cup in Saint Louis following his surprise defeat against American star Niemann — the first time he has withdrawn from a tournament in his career, according to chess24.Read MoreMagnus Carlsen quits match without explanation amid apparent feud with fellow grandmaster Hans NiemannAnother grandmaster, Hikaru Nakamura, said Carlsen is «suspicious» of Niemann's conduct, and days after the Sinquefield Cup match, Niemann publicly responded to allegations that he had cheated earlier in his chess career.Niemann admitted to cheating at the ages of 12 and 16 but said in an interview with the St. Louis Chess Club he had never cheated in over-the-board games.«I'm saying my truth because I do not want any misrepresentation,» said Niemann. «I am proud