Chess Mates: The True Story of the Global Sex Toy Rumor

Netflix is set to release a new documentary film on April 7, 2026, titled Untold: Chess Mates, which examines a high-profile cheating scandal involving two chess grandmasters. The film explores the conflict between Norwegian player Magnus Carlsen and American player Hans Niemann, focusing on the professional fallout and the viral rumors that followed their encounter.

The documentary centers on events that began in September 2022 during the Sinquefield Cup. Hans Niemann, then a 19-year-old rising grandmaster, defeated Magnus Carlsen in a third-round matchup. Carlsen, who had held the world No. 1 spot since 2011 and was on a 53-game winning streak at the time, subsequently withdrew from the tournament.

The Origins of the Scandal

Carlsen’s abrupt withdrawal from the competition was widely interpreted as a tacit accusation that Niemann had cheated. The suspicion intensified when Carlsen resigned after a single move during a subsequent online tournament matchup against Niemann.

On September 27, 2022, Carlsen released a formal statement. He indicated that Niemann’s behavior during the Sinquefield Cup game, combined with previous suspicions, led to his decision to withdraw. Carlsen expressed his belief that Niemann had cheated more frequently and more recently than the player had admitted.

Cheating in professional chess typically involves using AI software that can predict optimal moves. Because such software can produce a perfect game, It’s considered the only way a player could consistently defeat a mind of Carlsen’s caliber.

The Anal Bead Theory

As the controversy grew, the internet produced various theories regarding how Niemann might have received AI assistance during over-the-board play. One theory, which became a global sensation, suggested the use of anal beads to transmit moves to the player.

The Netflix documentary features archive footage of an interview with Piers Morgan, where Morgan asks Niemann, Have you ever used anal beads while playing chess? Niemann responded by questioning Morgan’s curiosity, suggesting that Morgan might be personally interested in the topic.

In the film, Niemann addresses the accusations and the impact the scandal had on his personal life, stating that his entire life had been destroyed by the sex toy scandal.

Professional Consequences and Responses

The fallout from the allegations extended to the governing bodies and platforms of the chess world:

• Chess.com removed Niemann from its platform in the days following Carlsen’s withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup.
• FIDE, the international chess governing body, rebuked Carlsen for his actions while simultaneously acknowledging general concerns regarding cheating in the sport.
• FIDE launched an investigation into Carlsen’s claims and Niemann’s responses.
• Chess.com eventually released an interim report evaluating Niemann’s games and estimating his history of online cheating.

Niemann has denied cheating in any over-the-board games, including the match against Carlsen. However, in a lengthy interview following the fifth round of the Sinquefield Cup, he admitted to having cheated in online chess in the past.

Despite the controversy, Niemann has remained defiant regarding his skill level, as noted in the documentary’s promotional materials where he is quoted as saying, I’m a god, sit down!

The film Untold: Chess Mates frames the event not just as a sporting dispute, but as a story of bad blood between two grandmasters that spilled over into mainstream media headlines.