The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League Season 2 concluded in London with the Triveni Continental Kings emerging victorious. The tournament saw a blend of thrilling matches, controversial decisions, and a renewed push to bring chess to a wider audience. The event witnessed the rise of Indian talent and the emergence of a new time control format, adding to the excitement.
Former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik has reignited the debate over cheating in online chess, making serious allegations against Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin. Kramnik suggests that Sarin’s impressive online blitz results are statistically improbable, implying foul play. However, Sarin’s manager has challenged Kramnik to a face-to-face playoff and vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Dubbed ‘toiletgate,’ Kramnik was himself once embroiled in a cheating scandal in 2006, but organizers lack definitive proof. Experts like Fabiano Caruana argue that while Kramnik’s concerns are valid, his statistical analysis may be flawed.
