Hans Niemann makes U-turn after backing out of 'lie-detector' test: 'Have just scheduled the Polygraph'

Days after backing out of a ’lie-detector’ test, controversial American chess Grandmaster Hans Niemann made a U-turn on Friday, confirming that the polygraph test has now been scheduled. Niemann, who was accused of cheating by Magnus Carlsen, was required to take the test after losing to Russian Grandmaster Daniil Dubov in an 18-game blitz match held in Moscow, Russia.

One of the conditions for the match was that the loser would have to answer one question under the polygraph tests. Niemann lost the match with a 9.5-8.5 score.

Niemann makes U-turn after backing out of ’lie-detector’ test

However, the 21-year-old recently said on his YouTube channel that he won’t take the test as Dubov was disrespectful and behaved “like a child”.

“I have no intention of giving someone like Dubov, who behaved like a child, the honor of asking me a question on the lie detector, which is pure pseudo-science, when I have nothing to prove,” Niemann said.

“Despite all the things that have been done to me, I have continued to perform. I have nothing left to prove. The onus is on them to prove. These are terrible people who tried to destroy a 19-year-old kid’s life because of a personal and sick vendetta.”

Niemann also said that Dubov wants the test to take place in Dubai and he is not interested in arranging that. “I’m not going to pay for an entire trip and put up Dubov in a nice hotel just for this.”

However, later in a post on X, Niemann suggested that the ’lie-detector’ test could take place in a “neutral setting”.

“My rejection of Dubov’s polygraph conditions was regarding his demand to do it in Dubai and for me to cover the costs. One should not forget that he left without a handshake and called the match a clown show on his way out. It must be done in a neutral setting, I am exploring…,” he wrote on X.

My rejection of Dubov’s polygraph conditions was regarding his demand to do it in Dubai and for me to cover the costs. One should not forget that he left without a handshake and called the match a clown show on his way out. It must be done in a neutral setting, I am exploring…

— Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) March 18, 2025

Niemann attacks Chess.com in latest social media post

On Thursday, Niemann once again took to X and confirmed that the polygraph test has been scheduled and he will “keep” his word. Niemann’s U-turn came after Chess.com did a story on him backing out.

“I am scheduling the Polygraph and I see the Chess Mafia’s new article saying I’ve backed out. I have just scheduled the Polygraph and will keep my word. My objections were towards Dubov’s behaviour and logistical demands. Please correct the article immediately,” Niemann said on X.

I am scheduling the Polygraph and I see the Chess Mafia's new article saying I've backed out. I have just scheduled the Polygraph and will keep my word. My objections were towards Dubov's behaviour and logistical demands. Please correct the article immediately!

— Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) March 20, 2025

Dubov, meanwhile, has already revealed that he intends to ask Niemann about the 2022 chess cheating scandal.