Russian chess grandmaster Daniil Dubov missed a match at the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in New York on Monday after failing to arrive on time, explaining that he had accidentally fallen asleep.
“I went to the hotel to quickly prepare for the game, but then I fell asleep,” Dubov told Norwegian media. “When I woke up, it was too late, so I came back later and continued playing.”
When asked how he could fall asleep before such a crucial match, Dubov responded, “I don’t know, I’m obviously talented.”
Dubov had been set to face American grandmaster Hans Niemann, who accused him of deliberately skipping the match out of “cowardice.”
“Happy to play Dubov in a blitz match under ANY conditions. I will pay for his travel/accommodation and offer a $10,000 reward to a charity of his choice if he wins,” Niemann wrote on X.
Niemann will now face Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, the reigning seven-time World Blitz Chess Champion, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
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