Defiant Niemann ‘won’t back down’ amid damning chess cheating report

• American GM takes early lead at US Chess Championship
• Niemann makes first remarks since report of serial cheating
• Carlsen v Niemann controversy is tragedy' for both sides

The embattled American grandmaster Hans Niemann struck a defiant pose on Wednesday in his first public appearance since an investigation found that he had cheated in more than 100 online games, far more frequently than he had previously disclosed.

Shortly after defeating 15-year-old Christopher Yoo with the unfavored black pieces in the opening round of the US Chess Championship, Niemann spoke for less than a minute in a terse post-game interview and insisted he is not going to back down" amid the allegations of foul play that have threatened to permanently stain an ascendent career that until last month was bursting with limitless promise.