Hans Niemann to undergo lie-detecting polygraph test after losing blitz showdown against Russian GM Daniil Dubov

American Grandmaster Hans Niemann will be undergoing a lie-detecting polygraph test after losing an 18-game blitz match against Russian GM Daniil Dubov recently. Niemann had challenged Dubov to a showdown at the latter’s home turf, reportedly to settle a dispute between them, with the condition that the loser had to answer one question with a polygraph test.

Niemann was in Moscow to participate in the Aeroflot Open, which took place between 1 to 6 March, and faced Dubov in the series of blitz games right after the event, on 7 and 8 March. The Russian Grandmaster ended up triumphing over Niemann, who has been in the news primarily for his feud with world No 1 Magnus Carlsen lately, by a 9.5-8.5 margin.

Why Niemann challenged Dubov to the showdown in Moscow

Dubov was scheduled to go one-on-one with Niemann in the World Blitz Championship in New York City in December, but did not show up on the day of the match. The 21-year-old American ended up winning the match by forfeit and would qualify for the knockouts by drawing his next three games. He would later bow out of the event in the quarter-finals after losing to fierce rival Carlsen.

Dubov claimed he fell asleep in his hotel room and could not wake up in time for his meeting with Niemann.

Niemann, however, had a different theory. “I don’t think he’s my biggest fan. Usually when someone doesn’t show up against me I have one assumption,” Niemann was quoted as saying by Chess.com.

When will Niemann undergo the polygraph test?

Niemann, who had defeated Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and Dutch GM Anish Giri among others last year and had also reached the semi-finals of the Speed Chess Championship in September, has agreed to fulfill the condition of the match by answering one question with a polygraph test.

Niemann, however, did not undergo the test immediately after his defeat against Dubov. Details of when he will undergo the test will be announced later.

How Dubov pulled off a thrilling victory over Niemann

The matches were played with a 3+2 time control, and took place over the course of two days. Dubov had ended Day 1 with a 5.5-3.5 lead, surging ahead of his opponent with a hat-trick of wins in Games 6-8.

Niemann, however, put up an impressive fight on Day 2 to take the game deep. He collected three wins out of four between Games 13 to 17 to go level with his opponent at 8.5 points each after conceding a 7.5-4.5 lead to the Russian GM.

Dubov, however, won the decisive 18th game in 68 moves while playing with white pieces, to clinch a victory in the thrilling battle against Niemann.