The chess body is investigating allegations of cheating by world champion Magnus Carlsen | So Good News

CNN
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FIDE, the sport’s world governing body, announced on Thursday that an investigation will be launched after world chess champion Magnus Carlsen’s cheating report.

On Monday, Carlsen accused fellow grandmaster Hans Niemann of cheating, saying his rival’s “progress in the center has been unusual”.

It comes after Carlsen pulled out of the Sinquefield Cup earlier this month after losing to Niemann and then pulled out of his next game against the American in the Julius Baer Generation Cup after making just one move.

“He wasn’t tense, he wasn’t completely focused on the game even in critical positions, but I think only a handful of players can do that, he made me look black,” Carlsen said of the Sinquefield Cup loss against Niemann.

Niemann admitted to cheating at online chess when he was 12 and 16, but says he never cheated at board games.

FIDE’s Fair Play Commission (FPL) has launched a three-man investigation team to look into Carlsen’s allegations and Niemann’s report of internet fraud.

“For the sake of the chess community, we ask the public to refrain from speculating on the results and possible sanctions until all the facts have been thoroughly reviewed and a proper investigation completed,” said FPL Chairwoman Salomeja Zaksaite. .

According to FIDE, the board has the ability to call in external experts when necessary.

“FPL is ready to investigate the circumstances, collect and analyze all data and evidence, and determine the facts and allegations that have been made public,” the federation said in a statement.

“The panel will protect the rights of both parties during the investigation and make a fair decision.”

CNN previously contacted Niemann and Carlsen about the fraud allegations.

Speaking to CNN earlier this week, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky called cheating a “massive problem” in online chess, but added that table games have long had measures in place to detect cheating.

“It started with different scanners and checks — it’s not like the metal scanners you use at airports,” Sutovsky said.

“We use them too, but they are only part of the global picture. We use non-linear scanners, we use transmission delays to reduce the chances [of cheating], [and] We use fair play officers who physically monitor what the players are doing.