Elon Musk’s Controversial Claim: Chess Will Be ‘Solved’ in 10 Years, Draws Sharp Reactions from Grandmasters and Chess Community
Elon Musk’s Bold Claim: Chess Will Be ‘Solved’ in 10 Years
Tech mogul Elon Musk has once again stirred controversy in the chess community with his recent statement that chess will be essentially ‘solved’ within the next 10 years, much like checkers. Musk, known for his provocative opinions, has previously dismissed chess as “too simple to be useful in real life” and even insulted former world champion Garry Kasparov, calling him an ‘idiot’.
The latest remarks from Musk came after he shared a playful photo on social media, which led to speculation about US grandmaster Hans Niemann allegedly using a device to cheat in games. Musk responded to the comment by suggesting that if Niemann had indeed used a device, he “deserved to win. At least once.”
Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, went on to assert that computers are far superior to humans in chess and predicted that the game will be fully ‘solved’ within a decade. This bold claim sparked strong reactions from the chess community, with many expressing skepticism about the feasibility of such a prediction.
Notably, an Investigatory Panel of FIDE’s Fair Play Commission found no evidence of Niemann cheating in over-the-board games, debunking the rumors surrounding the grandmaster.
In response to Musk’s assertion, Emil Sutovsky, CEO of FIDE, pointed out that while engines have surpassed human capabilities in chess for years, achieving a complete solution akin to checkers is unlikely due to the complexity of the game.
Renowned chess trainer Peter Heine Nielsen concurred with Musk’s technical assessment of the game but emphasized the enduring appeal of chess as a sport. Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of human competition in maintaining public interest in the game.
This is not the first time Musk has courted controversy in the chess world. In a past exchange with Garry Kasparov over the Ukraine-Russia war, Musk disparaged the former champion’s intellect and dismissed chess as simplistic compared to real-life challenges.
As Musk’s provocative statements continue to spark debate in the chess community, the future of the game remains uncertain. Will chess truly be ‘solved’ within a decade, or will the enduring complexities of the game defy even the most advanced computer algorithms? Only time will tell.