Defending Fair Play in Online and Live Chess
I haven’t been fully up to date regarding the controversy between Carlsen and Niemann about the possibility that Niemann may have committed fraud in his live game.
I know, and it seems very logical to me, that no concrete evidence has been found to support the Norwegian genius’s claim, which is why I obviously defend the idea that the presumption of innocence is an inalienable right of Niemann.
What has indeed unsettled me is that the chess player from San Francisco, California has admitted to cheating in online games.
My reflection centers on this second issue. Truly, life has all kinds of people, but my big question is: what do I gain by defeating opponents online or in person through cheating? That’s nothing more than being dragged down by the traps of ego and living a lie. Other players and their conscience—and mine—would always know that my results were fraudulent, fake, living a lie, the worst kind: one that cannot be undone because you’re lying to yourself.
The liar’s self-esteem suffers, although there are people who lack shame and self-respect, because what matters to them is making others believe they are what they truly are not.
I don’t want to make a moral judgment about Niemann specifically; I’m simply using his known story to reflect on the topic. True merit in life comes from growth and reaching the fullest of our potential. I don’t know what pleasure fraud provides to people who even play on platforms like Lichess or Chess.com, where there’s no financial gain, and yet they cheat. And that love for a false and undeserved pride—for what?
Regarding fraud or cheating in tournaments that offer financial prizes, the issue becomes even more serious, because aside from being entirely condemnable from an ethical standpoint, it also constitutes a criminal act.
I’d love to hear the opinions of all my fellow Hive friends who love chess, and I also hope we write more about the science game in this beloved Hive ecosystem of ours.
Text written entirely by me, without AI assistance.
Images created using Gemini AI under my precise guidance and instructions.
Sending you Ecency love
