What's happening?

The hosts were stunned. The chess world champion, Magnus Carlsen, had just ended the game and left his screen - after only one move. The young chess star he was playing, 19-year-old Hans Niemann, was left in shock. 

Many think Carlsen ended the game because he thought Hans Niemann was cheating. Niemann says he is not a cheat, although he has cheated in the past. 

But this is only the latest cheating argument to hit global chess. Many games today are played online. Some players have admittedAgree or reveal that something is true. to using the computer to help them find good moves. 

But cheating is possible in real life too. In the past, players have used secret signals and codes to tell each other the best moves. 

In 2019, one French player nearly went to prison after another player helped him by standing next to different tables. In their code, each table meant a different move.

Find out more

Cheating in chess can be very hard to proveShow beyond doubt that something is true.. In 1978, there was chaos at the World Chess Championships when one player accusedClaim that someone has done something wrong. another of using a blueberry yoghurt as a code. 

It followed complaints about mirror glasses, hypnotism and a chair, which was later X-rayed. The chair did not have any hidden gadgetsA small mechanical or electronic device or tool, especially an ingenious or new one. in it. 

Is cheating always wrong?

Yes! Cheating means people who are good enough to win lose out. They are punished for playing by the rules. 

No! Sometimes the rules are not fair. And there are times when people are told to cheat - for example, spies cheat during wars.