A video has emerged of controversial chess prodigy Hans Niemann being subjected to an all-over body scan before taking part in a US championship game.
The 19-year-old Twitch streamer was accused of cheating by world champion Magnus Carlsen last month, after easily besting him in an over-the-board match.
Among the many cheating rumors gaining traction online is the theory that Niemann used vibrating anal beads controlled by a third party with access to a chess computer.
In the wake of the allegations, the teenage grandmaster declared that he would happily play naked if that's what it would take to prove his doubters wrong.
While he hasn't been subjected to strip searches just yet, Niemann did have to undergo a full body scan before competing in the first round of the US Chess Championship on Wednesday (October 5).
Watch the video here:Although all players are scanned before the tournament begins, the official appeared to spend considerably longer checking Niemann. He even turned him around so he could scan his behind - much to the amusement of the commentators, who can be heard laughing as he does.
Despite the undignified scan, Niemann emerged victorious from the tournament, winning his first-round match. He later took to the mic to hit out at his critics in a brief post-match speech.
"This game is a message to everyone. This entire thing started with me saying 'chess speaks for itself' and I think this game spoke for itself and showed the chess player I am," he said per Daily Mail.
Watch the interview here:"It also showed I'm not going to back down and I'm going to play my best chess here regardless of the pressure," he continued.
The teen then cut his interview short, wrapping things up by saying: "You can leave it to your own interpretation but thank you, that's it."
Speculation about Niemann's cheating increased this week with the publication of a damning report by Chess.com. In a 72-page report, the platform said that Niemann had "likely" cheated in over 100 online games using illegal computer aids.
