An amateur chess player was kicked from a Dutch tournament after being caught hiding a phone in his sock, beating several players who were higher rated than him.
Initially reported by Chess.com, the unnamed player was competing at the Hogeschool Zeeland University Chess Tournament, where he gained attention by beating several players “with almost perfect play” who were higher rated than them.
According to a press release, during the seventh round, it was discovered that the player was going to the toilet with a phone so he could simulate the best moves possible.
“Around 12-13 moves had been played when he want to the restroom, and we wanted to scan him. He initially refused, which is equivalent to an admission of guilt,” said the tournament director Hans Groffen to PZC.
The player eventually agreed to get the scan, to which it detected a device. He claimed it was his watch; however, a phone was discovered.
In Chess tournaments, players are strictly prohibited from having a phone in their pockets because simulators, even on phones, have become so powerful that you can essentially beat anyone with it.
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Following the discovery, the competitor was removed from the tournament and reported to the Dutch Chess Federation. Their tournament results still stand.
“We’ve never experienced this before during our tournament. Of course, it is annoying that this happens to you as an organization, but on the other hand, you are also happy that this kind of bad apples are removed,” said Groffen.
Cheating in Chess is remarkably easy, thanks to how easy it is to find all the perfect moves, which means tournament organizers have to be on the lookout for any ways a competitor may try to cheat.
Hans Niemann, who has had serious cheating allegations leveled at him was recently put under strict anti-cheating measures after going on a winning streak.