Seriously, this was today’s email headline. Fascinated I had to delve further into this shocking allegation.
Magnus Carlson is widely thought to be the greatest living chess player. The 31 year old Norwegian achieved the rank of Grand Master at the age of 13. Recently Magnus lost in the third round at the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis to 19-year-old Hans Niemann. It was a shocking defeat. But Magnus has lost gracefully before. The shocking part is that he quit the tournament, something he has rarely done and only with good reason. The speculation is he has proof or believes Niemann cheated. Experts have reviewed the taped replay of the tournament and agree Niemann played “strangely” but found no proof of how, or if, he cheated.
Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura brought to light many questionable claims that Niemann made about the game after it was completed. A theory developed. Author James Stanley has figured out a way to cheat through his socks. Stanley calls it “Sockfish.” Through a series of vibrations and buttons in his shoes, Stanley was able to toe-tap the computer chess engine his opponents move and then receive a series of vibrations back to give him his next move. Stanley explained that his feet were ideal for accomplishing this cheat because they are the only part of the body that has dexterity while still being obscured from view.
Just when you thought competitive chess could not get any more exciting. I for one have spent hours on the edge of my chair in eager anticipation of the next move where a pawn might move one or two squares, or a bishop slide diagonally to the edge of the board. Exhilarating! I am not sure how much excitement you can handle, but I know I will not sleep a wink until this mystery is unraveled. Stay tuned!!