Hans Niemann

Well, across the world in the US this week, two other (not Indian) teenage GMs joined an elite list of eight GM at two prestigious tournaments that are part of ...

The fact that many chess engines are now available on mobile phones and tablets makes them even more accessible. But here’s my question: Is it possible that today teenage GMs have better mnemonic powers complementing the engine’s undisputed computing power? Engines such as Stockfish, Rybka, Fritz, and Houdini are so strong that they can crush the strongest GMs. Well the fact is computer programs — broadly called chess engines — now play a big role in the game. Some analysts are suggesting that Niemann had prepared extensively for his game against Carlsen, accurately guessing what opening lines the world champion would play, and memorizing an engine’s response to a particular line — perhaps going up to 20 moves. I’ve always enjoyed playing in the @STLChessClub, and hope to be back in the future. At St Louis though, Niemann defeated Carlsen convincingly in the longer format of the game where the world champion is considered almost invincible. Modern computers though can crunch all this in seconds, offering best responses to every move right through the game. Well, across the world in the US this week, two other (not Indian) teenage GMs joined an elite list of eight GM at two prestigious tournaments that are part of the grand chess tour (sort of like ATP in tennis). A massive controversy has broken out in the largely staid and quiet world of chess about cheating, and how prevalent it is. He presumably got a wild card entry or a special invite to compete in such a strong field, the same way Pragg got to play in Miami. In the first event, Iran-born Alireza Firouzja, 19, won a rapid+blitz tournament in such a convincing fashion (with four rounds to spare) that left it everyone shaking their heads.