In a highly anticipated 18-game blitz match held in Moscow on March 7-8, 2025, former World Rapid Championship winner Russian GM Daniil Dubov defeated American Hans Niemann with a final score of 9.5-8.5.
It all started when Daniil Dubov made headlines after he missed a game in the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz against Hans due to “falling asleep.”
Niemann, suspecting Dubov missed the game due to the Magnus Carlsen cheating allegations from 2022, challenged Dubov to a match in a Take Take Take interview.
Days later, Dubov accepted the challenge, under the condition that the loser would answer a question in a polygraph test.
Match Overview
The match featured a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. The prize structure was distinctive, offering a $2,000 reward for every point difference between the players, intensifying the stakes of each game.
A unique condition was that the loser had to answer one question from the winner during a polygraph test. After some negotiation, the match was agreed upon, with Levitov as the organizer.
Hans played the match directly after competing in the Russian-hosted Aeroflot Open since he did not receive invitations to tournaments in the US, including the St. Louis-hosted Champions Showdown: The Kings.
Day 1: Dubov Takes the Lead against Niemann with a Score of 5.5-3.5.
Niemann’s preference for e4 in his white games and Dubov’s choice of Sicilian indicated a challenging battle ahead. With the white piece, Hans always opted for the Italian, not changing much throughout the match.
The first day ended with Dubov leading 5.5-3.5, showcasing his blitz prowess. Niemann faced challenges, including time management issues and critical blunders, notably in 1 and again in Game 6, where he lost a winning position because of time pressure.
Day 2: Niemann Makes a Comeback, Narrowing the Gap, Before Dubov’s Decisive Victory
After a tumultuous first day, Niemann staged a comeback on the second day, narrowing the gap with three consecutive victories at a point. This led to a thrilling last game, uncertain for both players.
The match culminated in Game 18, where Dubov, under time pressure, made a decisive move with g4 in the endgame.
While not the computer’s top choice, this move posed significant practical challenges. Niemann miscalculated, leading to Dubov’s victory in the game and the match.
Post-Match Reflections
Hans was no pushover. Dubov’s experience and creative play ultimately earned him the match victory. Niemann showed resilience, pushing the match to the last game despite early setbacks.
The unique conditions, controversies, and politics surrounding the match, including the polygraph stipulation, added an extra layer of intrigue, though details about its execution remain undisclosed.
Conclusion
The match highlighted not only their differences in experience but also their playing styles. It also showed how creatively Dubov approaches the game on the Chessboard.
Even though Hans lost, he proved he is good at the game. Chess enthusiasts eagerly await the polygraph questions and what is next for both players.
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