Marathon chicanery, Maradona, Black Sox and more: sport cheating scandals

17.10.2022 - 10:23 theguardian.com

Not since Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit enthralled 62 million viewers has chess captured mainstream attention to such an extent.

Last month the Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, world No 1 and already the “rock star” of chess – see GQ profiles and multimillion‑pound apparel collaborations – accused the American Hans Niemann of cheating after the 19-year-old ended Carlsen’s over-the-board 53-match winning sequence.

Niemann accepts his victory was unexpected; especially because Carlsen was playing with the white pieces but maintains he prepared for an opening move and “by some ridiculous miracle” Carlsen played it.

Carlsen was not buying it and – for the first time ever – resigned from the tournament. In a delicious twist, the two were fated to meet again two weeks later, this time over the internet.

Sporting athletics chess Scandals Magnus Carlsen Elon Musk Hans Niemann Usa Norway

India's challenge ended at the Aimchess Rapid online chess tournament with the trio of D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi bowing out in the quarterfinals. Gukesh, who had beaten world champion Magnus Carlsen during the preliminary phase, went down 1.5-2.5 to Richard Rapport after having taken the lead with a win in the second game of the four-game contest. The 16-year old Indian appeared to have gained the advantage when he took a 1.5-0.5 lead with a win in 32 moves in the second game after the first had ended in a stalemate.

Gukesh, Erigaisi Are Very, Very Strong Players: Chess Legend Viswanathan Anand

The legendary Viswanathan Anand feels young Indian chess players are on the right track given their penchant to hog the limelight on and off, here and there. Teenage Grandmasters R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi among others have been enjoying a superb run in 2022 with wins over world champion Magnus Carlsen being the feather on their caps. Commenting on Gukesh's stunning 29-move win over the Norwegian superstar Carlsen in the preliminary section of the ongoing Aimchess Rapid online tournament, the five-time world champion said it showed that players like him and Erigaisi are very strong and could compete against anybody on the other side of the board.

India Teenager Donnarumma Gukesh Youngest To Beat Magnus Carlsen As World Champion

India teenager Donnarumma Gukesh scripted history on Sunday in the ongoing Aimchess Rapid online tournament as he defeated Magnus Carlsen, thereby becoming the youngest player ever to beat him as world champion. The 16-year-old Donnarumma defeated Carlsen with white in the 9th round and hence he defeated the Norwegian during his reign as world champion.

Gukesh, Erigaisi are very, very strong players: Chess legend Anand

Viswanathan Anand feels young Indian chess players are on the right track given their penchant to hog the limelight on and off, here and there. Teenage Grandmasters R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi among others have been enjoying a superb run in 2022 with wins over world champion Magnus Carlsen being the feather on their caps. Commenting on Gukesh's stunning 29-move win over the Norwegian superstar Carlsen in the preliminary section of the ongoing Aimchess Rapid online tournament, the five-time world champion said it showed that players like him and Erigaisi are very strong and could compete against anybody on the other side of the board.

Gukesh, Erigaisi Are Very, Very Strong Players: Chess Legend Viswanathan Anand

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi Shocks World Champion Magnus Carlsen In Aimchess Rapid Tournament

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi on Sunday hogged the spotlight, beating world champion Magnus Carlsen in round seven of the preliminaries of the Aimchess Rapid online chess tournament. The 19-year-old Erigaisi, who had gone down to compatriot Vidit Santosh Gujrathi to make a losing start in the event, is currently in fifth place after eight rounds. The win over Norwegian superstar Carlsen in the seventh round early on Sunday was the Indian's first over the world champion.