Top 5 Times Chess Players Were Caught Cheating

 

 

5. Igors Rausis – The Toilet Scandal

In 2019, Latvian-Czech Grandmaster Igors Rausis was caught using his phone in a bathroom during a tournament in Strasbourg. Security cameras revealed him sneaking in with his phone, presumably consulting an engine for moves. He admitted the act and was stripped of his Grandmaster title.

Cool fact: Rausis was 58 at the time, making it one of the most shocking cheating cases because it involved a veteran player, not a young upstart.

 

 

4. Borislav Ivanov – The Shoe Engine

Bulgarian player Borislav Ivanov raised suspicions after an improbable streak of wins in 2012. Allegations surfaced that he hid a device in his shoe to get real-time assistance from a chess engine. Investigations and surveillance eventually led to bans from tournaments, though he never admitted outright guilt.

Cool fact: The phrase “shoe engine” became a meme in the chess community because of this bizarre method.

 

 

3. Sergey Karjakin – Alleged Online Cheating (2016)

During online rapid tournaments, top player Sergey Karjakin faced accusations of suspiciously accurate moves that mirrored engine recommendations. While no formal punishment occurred, it sparked debates about online cheating even among elite grandmasters.

Cool fact: This case highlighted the thin line between preparation, intuition, and suspicion — even a top-level player can be accused if their moves look “too perfect.”

 

 

2. Wesley So – Online Blitz False Alarm

In 2020, Wesley So was temporarily flagged during an online blitz tournament for suspected engine use after a series of flawless games. After review, organizers cleared him, citing his human-level skill and unique style. This incident shows how online chess makes even legitimate players look suspicious.

Cool fact: Wesley So’s “accusation” created a massive Reddit debate, with thousands of chess fans analyzing every move of his games like detectives.

 

 

1. FIDE Online Olympiad 2020 – Multiple Players Busted

During the 2020 Online Chess Olympiad, several titled players were caught cheating using engines. FIDE disqualified them, banned them from future events, and reminded the chess community of strict online monitoring protocols. This was a major wake-up call as top-level competitions moved online due to the pandemic.

Cool fact: Some cheaters were caught purely because of statistical algorithms that flagged moves identical to engine recommendations over dozens of games — proving that cheating in the digital age can be traced mathematically.

 

 

The Lesson from These Scandals

Cheating may offer a temporary edge, but it destroys reputations and careers. Chess is a game of intellect, patience, and respect — not shortcuts.

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