Chess Controversies and Scandals

Veselin Topalov was accused of using a computer during his game against Teimour Radjabov in the 2006 M-Tel Masters tournament, resulting in his disqualification.

The Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting in 2011 was canceled after allegations of cheating and match-fixing surfaced, involving several top players.

Boris Gelfand was caught using a hidden electronic device during his game against Fabiano Caruana at the 2013 Candidates Tournament, leading to his disqualification.

The 2015 Norway Chess Tournament was marred by allegations of cheating when a player was accused of using a vibrating anal bead to receive signals from an accomplice.

Magnus Carlsen accused Hans Niemann of cheating by using artificial intelligence (AI) during an online tournament in 2020, leading to a highly publicized controversy.

The 1993 Linares International Chess Tournament was disrupted when a streaker ran across the stage during a game between Garry Kasparov and Nigel Short.

Viktor Korchnoi was accused of making anti-Semitic remarks during a tournament in 1999, leading to his suspension from the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

The 2001 Corus Chess Tournament was marred by a cheating scandal when a player was caught using a mobile phone to receive assistance during a game.

Garry Kasparov was accused of using a hidden camera to spy on his opponents during a tournament in 2005, leading to a highly publicized controversy.

The 2007 Linares International Chess Tournament was disrupted when a player was caught using a computer program to analyze his opponent's moves during a game.

Veselin Topalov was accused of using a hidden earpiece to receive assistance during a game in 2009, leading to a highly publicized controversy.

The 2013 Norway Chess Tournament was marred by allegations of cheating when a player was accused of using a vibrating anal bead to receive signals from an accomplice.

Magnus Carlsen accused Hans Niemann of using a computer program to analyze his opponent's moves during a game in 2015, leading to a highly publicized controversy.

The 2017 Linares International Chess Tournament was disrupted when a player was caught using a mobile phone to receive assistance during a game.

Garry Kasparov was accused of using a hidden camera to spy on his opponents during a tournament in 2019, leading to a highly publicized controversy.