Cheating in chess

[Peter Ackley]

I'm perfectly happy to face opponents who are drinking alcohol at the board. More of my opponents should do that.

I doubt they would have time

Might have to resort to shots...

[Brian Valentine]

I can't see that he's actually played any events until the Northumbria Masters according to his FIDE info and he's not on the ECF rating system as far as I can see

The Manchester Summer Congress doesn't seem to have made it to the ECF rating system in its entirety.
https://rating.englishchess.org.uk/v2/n ... ction_no=1
He didn't play in it though.

He should be on the ecfrating list now because of Northumbria, but that only has the invitational.
https://rating.englishchess.org.uk/v2/n ... ction_no=1

So, if he's not on the ECF rating list, he's not played in a Bolton event then presumably; or was he there in a non-playing capacity?

The Manchester Summer Congress 2023 (at Bolton) was rated, so was Bolton Easter and the Bolton Rapidplay

It's like the premier league transfer window in this part of the world, with rating officers getting submissions in in time for the key 1st September list.

So Mick's post here is already dated, see:https://rating.englishchess.org.uk/v2/n ... de=370039C. I have no information on whether the Manchester event will be submitted in time. His rating will appear tomorrow.

[Gerard Killoran]

Isn't this a self-own - Mourinho style?

Iuri Shkuro.jpg (248.38 KiB) Viewed 1575 times

[mickriding]

The was a lot of rubbish posted by Shkuru. None of it true or substantiated. No complaints to tournament organisers or arbiters. There was a significant conversation on BCN FB now removed after he threatened to sue - oh how I larfed! Have nothing to do with him he is troubled and trouble. As well as his history (Rapid ratings proven and issues wrt his GM title) there is a question over the legitimacy of his residence in the UK. If you have any information to that end please message me privately via Facebook.

[Matt Mackenzie]

The easy availability of chess computers is adding to both suspicion and, in some cases, actual cheating. A year or two ago, I suggested that use of chess computers, even for private analysis, should be precluded. This may seem draconian and it went down like a lead balloon on the forum, but I still think something along those lines would be a step in the right direction, even if it can't be enforced. It would show that chess authorities consider the future of the game more important than owning a computer. Chess is meant to be a game for humans. Without some radical and determined action, the accusations will just go on ...

Which, on its own, makes the suggestion completely futile and pointless. Please propose something serious.

[John Townsend]

It is easy to say that, but, no, I don't think it would be futile. Players at present cherish their computers too much, and that is at the expense of the game. Federations should create a culture in which chess computers are disapproved of.

[Roger Lancaster]

The was a lot of rubbish posted by Shkuru. None of it true or substantiated. No complaints to tournament organisers or arbiters. There was a significant conversation on BCN FB now removed after he threatened to sue - oh how I larfed! Have nothing to do with him he is troubled and trouble. As well as his history (Rapid ratings proven and issues wrt his GM title) there is a question over the legitimacy of his residence in the UK. If you have any information to that end please message me privately via Facebook.

I've no way of knowing about the playing conditions in question and, if Shkuru's assertions (some or all of which appear to be disputed) in that regard are correct, one can sympathise. However, I think most people would agree that the more serious issues raised relate to alleged cheating. Without exonerating Shkuru, whose posts are arguably defamatory, I'd have to say that the rot here started from the top with Magnus Carlsen's accusation against Hans Niemann, since when various other leading grandmasters have joined the fun. However, issue is that it's not "fun" and something needs to be done before the contagion reaches epidemic proportions. Since it's an international issue, it's FIDE that needs to take the lead.

[Alex McFarlane]

it's FIDE that needs to take the lead

FIDE does cover many of these points. Eating is not allowed at the Board. The event should have been carrying out security checks at the appropriate level for a norm event. These are outlined in the FIDE handbook.
https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/AntiC ... egulations

As a potential norm event the following should have been in place:
2) Increased protection - to apply to tournaments identified in Section 1 (B).
i)
Organizers must clearly and carefully designate areas for players (the “Playing Area”) and
for spectators. Organizers and arbiters shall prevent getting any chess information from
outside the “Playing Area”. Organizers shall endeavour, in so much as possible and reason
able, to avoid contact between players and spectators. If possible provide separate refresh-- 2
ii)
ment/toilet/smoking areas for players and spectators (in team competitions, this should be
extended to include captains as a separate category);
Each tournament must adopt at least two security measures from Annex A.
iii) The chief arbiter must devise a system for regularly checking the venue, before during and
after the game, in cooperation with the Head Anti-Cheating arbiter (if any).
iv) Recommendation to send all games in PGN format for screening by the FIDE internet-based
Game Screening Tool. Obligation to send in norm-related tournament games in PGN for
mat for screening by the FIDE Game Screening Tool;
v) Organizers applying for waivers must do so with FIDE QC, at least 4 weeks before the start
of the tournament. Waivers shall be granted only by FIDE QC;
vi) Organizers are strongly encouraged to provide secure storage facilities for electronic devices;
vii) Organizers and arbiters are encouraged to carry out screening tests during the event via the
FIDE Internet-based Game Screening Tool.
viii) The chief arbiter is encouraged to devise a system for operating random checks during the
game, in cooperation with the Head Anti-Cheating arbiter (if any).

[NickFaulks]

As well as his history (Rapid ratings proven and issues wrt his GM title)

An interesting comment. Are you at liberty to say any more?

[NickFaulks]

Federations should create a culture in which chess computers are disapproved of.

Any federations which wish to ensure that none of their players achieve the GM title are of course free to do so.

[Roger Lancaster]

it's FIDE that needs to take the lead

FIDE does cover many of these points. Eating is not allowed at the Board. The event should have been carrying out security checks at the appropriate level for a norm event. These are outlined in the FIDE handbook.
https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/AntiC ... egulations

Alex, entirely agree but my "It's FIDE that needs to take the lead" comment was directed specifically at widespread allegations of cheating.

[Roger de Coverly]

An interesting comment. Are you at liberty to say any more?

Twenty years ago, Ukraine gained a reputation for reporting fake tournaments. One even published a photo of a Blitz tournament during their supposed event which was quite recognisably the back room of the "Pig in Paradise" during Hastings with players wearing Xmas paper hats.

That might not be relevant in the least.

[NickFaulks]

That might not be relevant in the least.

As indeed it isn't, but it's a good story. I'm assuming that Mick can provide something more concrete .

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

As well as his history (Rapid ratings proven and issues wrt his GM title)

An interesting comment. Are you at liberty to say any more?

On reddit there's an allegation that Shkuro artifically inflated his blitz rating (and also rapid rating?):
https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments ... ly_is_the/
Another related story here:
https://en.chessbase.com/post/dark-time ... nian-chess

[Matt Mackenzie]

It is easy to say that, but, no, I don't think it would be futile. Players at present cherish their computers too much, and that is at the expense of the game. Federations should create a culture in which chess computers are disapproved of.

Well maybe they "should", but good luck with that in practice.