Chess great Kramnik takes polygraph test

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 23

Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik has become the first player to undergo a polygraph test, a measure introduced by the World Chess Organisation to combat cheating by players in online matches as well as over the board tournaments.

The World Chess Organisation runs the chessarena.com for FIDE, the official chess body that organises tournaments across the world.

In a release, the World Chess said it has introduced voluntary polygraph testing as a significant new tool in its anti-cheating arsenal. It said the chess world has been fraught with cheating allegations, including $100 million lawsuits, and one of the most vocal critics of cheating has been Vladimir Kramnik himself. Known for his advocacy for fair play, Kramnik recently participated in and won the “Clash of Blames” against Jose Martinez Alcantara, a match that highlighted the importance of addressing cheating in both online and over-the-board chess.

In a move to solidify his stance and offer an example in transparency, as well as address persistent rumors dating back to the 2006 World Championship match against Veselin Topalov — often referred to as “Toiletgate” — Kramnik voluntarily took a polygraph test. The test, administered with the facilitation of Pinkerton, the famous detective agency, by a former Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent, sought to address three critical questions.

To further enhance the integrity of the sport, the World Chess has extended this opportunity to all top 100 players, who can voluntarily undergo the same polygraph test for free. The goal is to establish polygraph testing as a standard procedure within the chess community, similar to doping tests in other sports, thereby reinforcing trust and transparency at the highest levels of competition.

Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “Cheating allegations have cast a shadow over chess for too long. By introducing voluntary polygraph testing, we are taking a decisive step to protect the integrity of our beloved sport. This initiative not only supports honest players but also strengthens the public’s trust in chess as a fair game.”

“In high-stakes situations like the recent Carlsen-Niemann controversy, where resolutions remain elusive and speculation runs rampant, a reliable polygraph test — if mutually agreed upon by all parties — could decisively resolve the conflict. Such a measure would provide players, the public, and chess organisers with clear, definitive information, effectively ending any lingering doubts and putting the focus back on the game itself,” said Merenzon.