American chess prodigy Hans Niemann has denied using a vibrating sex toy to cheat in a $500,000 chess match last year, the BBC reported. Last year, the chess champion defeated Mr. Carlsen at the Sinquefield Cup, an annual competition in St. Louis, Missouri.
The 32-year-old Carlsen, a five-time world champion, promptly withdrew from the tournament and accused his opponent of cheating.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) opened an investigation last September into the affair, described by many as one of the biggest scandals in chess history.
Last month, the pair buried the chess hatchet and settled a $100 million lawsuit.
In a recent interview, Mr Niemann spoke to Piers Morgan about the criticism he has faced since being accused of cheating. He said: “To be accused of cheating after that win is very disheartening,” he said.
“These things happen and I learned a lot during that time and it really taught me a lot of important lessons about life and chess.”
When Mr. Morgan asked about the accusation that he used anal beads to cheat, he responded, “Well, your curiosity is a little disturbing, you know, maybe you’re personally interested. But I can tell you, no. Categorically: no of course not.”
Mr Niemann has admitted cheating on Chess.com when he was between 12 and 16 years old, but denies continuing to do so, AFP reported.
In June, a U.S. federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages filed by Niemann over the feud.
Last month, Chess.com said it stood by its report on Mr Niemann, “including that we found no conclusive evidence that he cheated in personal games”.