Hans Niemann claims 'lie-detector' test failed to prove over-the-board cheating: 'Polygraph finished, passed on all fronts'

America’s controversial chess player, Hans Niemann, has announced that he has completed a polygraph test, which he had promised to take after his defeat to Russian Grandmaster Daniil Dubov. The 21-year-old Niemann, who has been accused of cheating by world No.1 Magnus Carlsen, also shared that he refused to have cheated over the board during the lie-detector test and cleared it successfully.

Niemann faced Dubov in an 18-game Blitz showdown in March 2025 in Moscow. The face-off had one condition that the loser would have to answer one question with a polygraph test.

After a lot of dilly-dallying and backing out of the polygraph test, Niemann claims that it was finally completed. However, he has not shared any details of when and where the lie-detector test was held, who organised it and if Dubov was present during the proceedings.

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Niemann has also not released any video of the polygraph. The only proof of the polygraph test being conducted is his social media posts on X in which he claimed that he was asked about cheating over the board in chess matches, to which he said no and passed the test successfully.

“Polygraph finished, passed on all fronts. Have you ever cheated over the board? No. Verdict: True. I think its time for a rematch with Dubov. I’ll be in Moscow again in 2 weeks!” Niemann wrote on X.

Polygraph finished, passed on all fronts.
Have you ever cheated over the board? No
Verdict: True. I think it’s time for a rematch with Dubov. I’ll be in Moscow again in 2 weeks!

— Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) May 7, 2025

After fans raised doubts over the accuracy of Niemann’s claims, the American Grandmaster hit back by stating that when he refused to take the lie-detector test, it was claimed that he was afraid, and now that he has passed the test, people are saying that the polygraph test is pseudoscience.

He further alleged that “some people” are always ready to twist the narrative to prove their point, but he will prove everyone wrong with his chess.

“Mental gymnastics of my detractors: “You refused the polygraph that proves everything” Then switching to “polygraphs are pseudoscience this proves nothing”. Some people will always twist everything to fit their perspective. The only constant is that the chess always speaks for itself,” Niemann added.

Mental gymnastics of my detractors:
“You refused the polygraph that proves everything” Then switching to “polygraphs are pseudoscience this proves nothing”.
Some people will always twist everything to fit their perspective. The only constant is that the chess always speaks for…

— Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) May 7, 2025

Carlsen accused Niemann of cheating after suffering a defeat at the Sinquefield Cup in 2022. Later, Niemann agreed to cheating in online games but denied that he had ever done so over the board.