In this live session, we analyze the chess game played between Russian cosmonauts and the controversial Ukraine-born and naturalized Russian chess Grandmaster
Sergey Karjakin.
We look at how independent chess commentators were surprised with the game but were unable to suspect the game. As a contrast, we also look at how professional chess players have detected cheaters online. In particular, we examine a Chess Brah live stream, hosted by Grandmaster Eric Hansen, which features an obvious cheater.
The audience is never able to see the chess position in the iPad that the cosmonauts are using. In addition, the game is so unusual and complicated, that the cosmonauts would have to play at a 2800 ELO level, which is unrealistic.
There is absolutely no evidence that the cosmonauts play at that level. The game itself, an extremely complicated, study-like, machine-like draw, seems to have been previously set up with the help of a computer. Karjakin himself is wearing an earpiece from which he would be receiving the moves, which eases the ability to set up the game.
