Cheating in chess

[Ian Thompson]

Sounds like he was ahead of his time - way back in 2006! Wins over Smirin and Bartholomew too

But 7 years after Clemens Allwermann had an outstandingly good tournament.

[Joey Stewart]

While we are on the subject of cheating, did anyone else ever think topalov cheated when he won the world championship in that tournament years ago, his wins all looked like they came straight out of an engine, and to top it off he then took the initiative and accused kramnik of cheating in their next championship match....methinks he doth protest too much

[Matt Bridgeman]

The recent systematic Russian doping program which led to a world wide ban on Russian athletes makes for interesting reading. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doping_in_Russia

There’s also an well made documentary on the subject called Icarus (Netflix). It was pretty eye opening ‘James Bond’ type stuff they got up to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus_(2017_film)

I wonder if the Russian state gave any thought to a chess cheating program, but perhaps gave up on the idea as more trouble than it was worth?

[Paul Robert Jackson]

I wonder if the Russian state gave any thought to a chess cheating program, but perhaps gave up on the idea as more trouble than it was worth?

Perhaps you should read "The KGB Plays Chess".

[JustinHorton]

Perhaps he shouldn't: its reputation for sourcing its claims is not the best.

[Matt Mackenzie]

While we are on the subject of cheating, did anyone else ever think topalov cheated when he won the world championship in that tournament years ago, his wins all looked like they came straight out of an engine, and to top it off he then took the initiative and accused kramnik of cheating in their next championship match....methinks he doth protest too much

Yes, some people suspected this.

No, there has never been any credible evidence put forward.

Given that, I think Topa is entitled to the benefit of the doubt (even though, yes, his/Danailov's behaviour the following year was unethical)

[Kevin Thurlow]

One theory relating to Topalov's accusations against Kramnik was that he was getting revenge after being accused previously.

[Matthew Turner]

While we are on the subject of cheating, did anyone else ever think topalov cheated when he won the world championship in that tournament years ago, his wins all looked like they came straight out of an engine, and to top it off he then took the initiative and accused kramnik of cheating in their next championship match....methinks he doth protest too much

If you search "Intrinsic Ratings Compendium Ken Regan" you can see Ken's analysis on page 12. On the face of it, it doesn't suggest anything suspicious.

[LawrenceCooper]

While we are on the subject of cheating, did anyone else ever think topalov cheated when he won the world championship in that tournament years ago, his wins all looked like they came straight out of an engine, and to top it off he then took the initiative and accused kramnik of cheating in their next championship match....methinks he doth protest too much

If you search "Intrinsic Ratings Compendium Ken Regan" you can see Ken's analysis on page 12. On the face of it, it doesn't suggest anything suspicious.

That search brings up 258000 matches but I think the relevant link would be https://cse.buffalo.edu/~regan/papers/pdf/Reg12IPRs.pdf

[Roger de Coverly]

On the face of it, it doesn't suggest anything suspicious.

I thought the suggestion had been that in some way his second may have been able to signal assessments. Whilst receiving the news that "engine says you are worse/better" is probably useful and something that current arrangements would seek to prevent, it's not going to lead to anything detectable by an engine matching process.

[Stewart Reuben]

In 1986 Karpov expressed concerns before the match that Kasparov's seconds could see him. He was not accusing Gary of cheating. Simply that he might gain sustenance from the way they looked.
So It was agreed the seconds would always sit in the same place and the two players would change positions when white or black. Of course it is easier to make eye contact when sitting diagonally opposite.
There were no further comments about that.

[Joey Stewart]

It must have been hard to be a second and kept a completely stoic expression the whole time, I'm sure everyone at some point or other has nodded approval at a good move by a team mate and in a way it could be seen as helping validate the plan they just engaged even if not intended as such

[Joey Stewart]

If you search "Intrinsic Ratings Compendium Ken Regan" you can see Ken's analysis on page 12. On the face of it, it doesn't suggest anything suspicious.

I don't think it was ever going to be detectable based on looking for a high match rate. Engine or not, Topalov is a still a very good player who obviously wouldn't need assistance for an entire game - an advantage garnered in a critical position would have been more then enough for him to convert with his own wits

[JustinHorton]

You're basically accusing him of cheating based on nothing, aren't you?

[David Robertson]

Doing PIPI in your pampers

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