Federal judge throws out lawsuit filed by chess star over cheating allegations

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a chess grandmaster who alleged his career was ruined by allegations that he cheated. Nineteen-year-old Hans Niemann had sought $100 million in damages against former world champion Magnus Carlsen and the online chess organization Chess.com. He also alleged Carlsen and the website violated antitrust laws by merging online playing formats and refusing to let him play on them. U.S. District Judge Audrey Fleissig ruled Tuesday that the antitrust claims had no merit. She also dismissed the libel and slander claims because she said she didn’t have jurisdiction to oversee them.