Is Cheating in Chess Overstated? Insights from GM Fabiano Caruana and D. Gukesh

Cheating in Chess: A Growing Concern or Overstated Issue? Fabiano Caruana Weighs In

February 28, 2026, 15:53 IST

In a recent episode of his C Squared Podcast, American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana has sparked a conversation about the ongoing debate surrounding cheating in chess, echoing sentiments expressed by world champion D Gukesh. Caruana’s remarks come on the heels of Gukesh’s assertion that concerns about cheating are often exaggerated, particularly in the realm of online chess.

Caruana, who has competed in numerous high-stakes tournaments, stated that he has never personally witnessed cheating in any of his over-the-board games. He emphasized the stark contrast between online and over-the-board events, noting that discussions about cheating are more prevalent in online formats due to the relative ease of committing such acts.

“Over-the-board cheating—it’s not really talked about too often, right? Because usually the focus is on the potential for online cheating, which must be a bigger problem, in terms of volume, because it’s just easier,” Caruana explained. He suggested that while online cheating may occur more frequently, it is often dealt with discreetly, with players caught cheating typically facing bans without public disclosure.

The grandmaster highlighted the higher stakes involved in over-the-board events, particularly regarding official FIDE ratings. When cheating scandals arise in these tournaments, the repercussions are often severe and public. “When there’s a big over-the-board cheating scandal, players get banned. They get kicked out of chess,” he noted, adding that such incidents are rare, with only a handful of grandmasters caught cheating in recent years.

Caruana pointed to notable cases like Sébastien Feller and Kirill Shevchenko, who faced consequences for cheating in over-the-board competitions. However, he reiterated that he has never encountered such behavior in his own experiences. “Does it happen over the board? I mean, probably in some measure, but I don’t know because I’ve personally never seen it happen in my own tournaments,” he stated.

Gukesh, who has also voiced his concerns about the exaggerated nature of cheating allegations, distanced himself from former champion Vladimir Kramnik’s claims against online players. He, along with other prominent figures in the chess community, including Magnus Carlsen and FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich, has criticized unproven accusations, advocating for a more balanced perspective on the issue.

As the chess world continues to grapple with the implications of cheating, both Caruana and Gukesh emphasize the importance of fair play while questioning whether the current discourse around cheating is proportionate to the actual occurrences in the game.

Looking ahead, Gukesh expressed excitement about the upcoming Candidates tournament, where he will face American grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann. As the chess community watches closely, the dialogue around cheating remains a critical topic, one that may shape the future of the game.

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