Nakamura-Niemann Clash Ignites Headphone Controversy at Freestyle Friday
The Freestyle Friday tournament on Chess.com, held May 2, 2025, saw Vincent Keymer taking home the victory, proving his prowess in the growing chess variant. Despite a fiery 7.5/8 start, Hans Niemann only managed 5th with 8.5/11, and Hikaru Nakamura finished 12th (8/11). But the real action was off the board, as the Nakamura-Niemann rivalry flared.
In the penultimate round 10 clash, the two Americans faced each other, where Hikaru dominated his countryman while live streaming. Right after defeating Hans, Hikaru made a strong remark, saying, “Blabber all day long on social media, but unable to perform when it actually matters.”
The jab targeted Niemann’s vocal critiques of the “chess mafia”—Nakamura, Magnus Carlsen, and Chess.com.
Niemann hit back, questioning Chess.com’s rules on X: “Why is Hikaru allowed to wear HEADPHONES during prize money tournaments while others aren’t. Clear competetive advantage and double standard.”
Chess.com hasn’t addressed Niemann’s claim, and its rules don’t explicitly ban headphones in online events like the 3+1 Chess960 tournament, however, there is a protocol in place for streamers to make adequate arrangements for switching off the chat and adding delays for prize money events.
The spat, rooted in the 2022 cheating scandal and Niemann’s dismissed $100 million lawsuit, keeps their feud alive. While Keymer claimed the $400 prize, the drama stole the spotlight.
