Hans Niemann Reacts to Being Called ‘Rakhi Sawant of Chess’

Brief By Twitter X / 5:27 PM on 08 Sep 2026

American chess grandmaster Hans Niemann reacted after comedian Shraddha called him the “Rakhi Sawant of chess” in a ChessBase India video from the Global Chess League opening in Bengaluru. Niemann said he did not know who Rakhi Sawant was and questioned the comparison. He added that ChessBase India is usually wholesome, jokingly contrasting himself with someone portrayed with devil horns.