‘Cheating is a problem that we have to continue dealing; technology shrinks’: Viswanathan Anand | Chess News
Even as the world of elite chess continues to grapple with sophicated cheating techniques and anti-cheating measures, FIDE (International Chess Federation) deputy president Viswanathan Anand held that accusations and counter claims will continue to be part of the board game. While chess is no stranger to claims and counterclaims, this topic grabbed world headlines following Magnus Carlsen’s sensational accusation against United States’ Hans Niemann last September and his subsequent withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup.
“Cheating allegations have been around for a while. But now, everything goes public very fast,” Anand said. “Last year, the Carlsen-Niemann thing lit a fire under this topic. Now, it’s in the air. We continue to work on how to prevent it. It’s a technological thing so it means it will not be solved ever. It will be an arms race which will just keep escalating. But we keep enhancing our steps, our measures to fight it,” said India’s first Grandmaster.
Since Carlsen’s accusation, the FIDE has tightened the measures and has put in place enhanced programmes to try to prevent players from cheating. In all premier tournaments, there is a thorough screening that takes place before one enters the playing hall. Despite this, there is still apprehension from certain players that few of them still manage to find a way, especially using the technology and seeking an edge.
And earlier this week, after several months of suspense, Fide charged Carlsen $10,800 for withdrawing from the Sinquefield event without a valid reason and cleared him off three other charges. Anand, who was present at the ongoing Chennai Grand Masters event, on Saturday said that these cheating allegations will continue to pers, especially with the advancement in technology which always gives scope for suspicions.
Though the FIDE has put in measures including screening and delaying live-streaming 15 minutes to ensure no outside influence, Anand wasn’t expecting any fool-proof method to curb this.
“There will be no final measure. You know how technology shrinks. Once you feel that you have screened for all these things, imagine suddenly in a couple of years, people will think ‘well you haven’t screened for this’ because everything has shrunk. It’s a problem we will continue to deal with. I don’t think it will completely go away,” the 54-year-old Anand said.
Anand, who has now completed 16 months in his new role as an adminrator, said as a deputy president he is getting to see the other side of the coin and was also buoyed the success of the Global Chess League.
“You get a different perspective. You compete in tournaments all your life but you never see the other side, the people who are making it happen. The arbiters… just how the machinery works. I am happy how I have been able to be part of many projects, notably the Global Chess League… Also the Olympiad, the Worlds in Kazakhstan… so a lot of big events. Just to be part of the team and execute all these events. I think we have done a very good job. Some very positive things and generally I can’t say there’s been anything unpleasant. It’s been a very nice experience,” Anand said.
