Fabiano Caruana Slams Chess.com’s Titled Tuesday as “Stupid” and Raises Alarm on Online Cheating Concerns

Fabiano Caruana Slams Chess.com’s Titled Tuesday, Raises Alarm Over Online Cheating

American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana has stirred the chess community with his candid criticism of Chess.com’s Titled Tuesday, labeling it a “stupid tournament” while voicing serious concerns about the prevalence of cheating in online chess.

In a recent interview on the C-Squared YouTube channel, Caruana, currently ranked among the world’s elite players, expressed his disdain for the weekly online event. Despite his reservations, he continues to participate, citing the tournament’s role in securing qualification spots as a motivating factor. “No, I don’t enjoy it. It’s a stupid tournament, but if there’s a small goal to work towards, I’ll go towards that goal,” he stated.

Concerns Over Cheating in Online Chess

Caruana’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the integrity of online chess competitions. He acknowledged the proctoring system employed during Titled Tuesday, admitting it has its flaws but ultimately helps mitigate cheating. “It’s incredibly laggy, but I have to admit it probably does help a lot with cheating,” he said, reflecting on his past struggles to advance in the tournament. “Now I usually get past it without any exception. So, we’ve made some progress, Chess.com.”

The grandmaster also weighed in on the broader issue of cheating, particularly in online formats. While he agreed with fellow player D. Gukesh that over-the-board cheating is sometimes overhyped, he criticized online platforms for their lack of transparency in handling cheating cases. “When there is a big over-the-board cheating scandal, players get banned and kicked out of chess. But online cheating is often swept under the rug,” Caruana lamented. “They find the person, but they quietly deal with it and make sure that nobody really finds out who it is.”

A Call for Transparency

Caruana’s comments resonate with many in the chess community who share concerns about the integrity of online play. He emphasized that while over-the-board cheating incidents are rare and often result in severe penalties, the online realm presents a different challenge due to its accessibility and anonymity.

This isn’t the first time Caruana has voiced his concerns. In August 2025, he described cheating as “rampant” in online competitions and criticized the effectiveness of proctoring tools. His latest remarks have reignited discussions about the need for more robust measures to ensure fair play in the digital chess arena.

As the chess world grapples with these pressing issues, Caruana’s bold stance serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges that come with the rise of online chess. Whether his criticisms will lead to meaningful changes in how platforms address cheating remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the conversation is far from over.