Chess cheating device in action!

[M ANSARI]

I am sure all of you have seen the meme's with the chess cheating scandal regarding methods used to cheat by Hans Nieman. While I never took it seriously, it is pretty scary how this guy did build such a device and actually used it to beat someone about 2000 ELO stronger than him. While he fortunately saved all of us the agony of having the device inserted in some body parts ... the proof of concept of him actually using it without any tell signs is very concerning. I am quite sure if someone wanted to, he could improve and make the device dramatically smaller ... but considering he was about 600 ELO and still managed to play at SF 15 level and destroy a much stronger player shows it is not such a far fetched idea.

[Damir]

Of course the other chess players don't want to play against Hans including Carlsen... They have set their engine bots to play at 56-57% accuracy, while Hans bot is set at 80% engine accuracy...

[towforce]

Very good! And used without making errors - which is more than I can claim: at the 2000 computer chess championship in London, I played one of Crafty's moves wrongly. Fortunately, my opponent pointed it out and allowed me to correct it.

In a previous thread you started, we came up with other ways to cheat over the board - link.

[Uri Blass]

I am sure all of you have seen the meme's with the chess cheating scandal regarding methods used to cheat by Hans Nieman. While I never took it seriously, it is pretty scary how this guy did build such a device and actually used it to beat someone about 2000 ELO stronger than him. While he fortunately saved all of us the agony of having the device inserted in some body parts ... the proof of concept of him actually using it without any tell signs is very concerning. I am quite sure if someone wanted to, he could improve and make the device dramatically smaller ... but considering he was about 600 ELO and still managed to play at SF 15 level and destroy a much stronger player shows it is not such a far fetched idea.

I do not understand
Does the tool make some noise that the person can hear even if it is too quiet for other people to hear?

If yes then the question is if it is not possible to record the noise and to increase it by something to prove that the player was cheating.

[towforce]

I am sure all of you have seen the meme's with the chess cheating scandal regarding methods used to cheat by Hans Nieman. While I never took it seriously, it is pretty scary how this guy did build such a device and actually used it to beat someone about 2000 ELO stronger than him. While he fortunately saved all of us the agony of having the device inserted in some body parts ... the proof of concept of him actually using it without any tell signs is very concerning. I am quite sure if someone wanted to, he could improve and make the device dramatically smaller ... but considering he was about 600 ELO and still managed to play at SF 15 level and destroy a much stronger player shows it is not such a far fetched idea.

I do not understand
Does the tool make some noise that the person can hear even if it is too quiet for other people to hear?

If yes then the question is if it is not possible to record the noise and to increase it by something to prove that the player was cheating.

It uses a smartphone (or smartwatch) vibration device. When my watch alerts me, nobody else knows what's going on, but I can certainly feel it, and it's enough of a sensation to wake me up from sleep in the morning. Here are some you can buy - link.

[DrEinstein]

I am sure all of you have seen the meme's with the chess cheating scandal regarding methods used to cheat by Hans Nieman. While I never took it seriously, it is pretty scary how this guy did build such a device and actually used it to beat someone about 2000 ELO stronger than him. While he fortunately saved all of us the agony of having the device inserted in some body parts ... the proof of concept of him actually using it without any tell signs is very concerning. I am quite sure if someone wanted to, he could improve and make the device dramatically smaller ... but considering he was about 600 ELO and still managed to play at SF 15 level and destroy a much stronger player shows it is not such a far fetched idea.

I do not understand
Does the tool make some noise that the person can hear even if it is too quiet for other people to hear?

If yes then the question is if it is not possible to record the noise and to increase it by something to prove that the player was cheating.

After reducing the pulse width of the "mini vibrator" to 15 ms, the vibrations are still easy to feel but nearly impossible to hear. Especially when placed at the 'correct' position.

[DrEinstein]

A hightech version of the device would probably use pure 'voltage signaling'. Absolutely silent, if the voltage is not to high...

[mclane]

One device in the left shoe to input the moves.
One in the right shoe to read the moves.

If they scan the body and shoes in the hall, just go to the toilette and switch the shoes with the neighbour toilette where your helper sits.
E2-E4 is beep-beep-beep-beep-beep. Pause. Beep-beep. Pause. Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep. Pause. Beep-beep-beep-beep.

Similar you input the moves in in the other shoe.

[daniel71]

One thing how does input of moves work? You need an assistant to input the moves into a computer and be close enough for a Bluetooth device to work less than 50 feet. More Defamation in my opinion.

[M ANSARI]

One thing how does input of moves work? You need an assistant to input the moves into a computer and be close enough for a Bluetooth device to work less than 50 feet. More Defamation in my opinion.

This has nothing to do with defamation. This is a proof of concept device made in a few hours by someone just wanting to see if such a device is actually possible. I find it incredible how he made it work, and he used the device seemlessly and with a system that would have easily passed most pre Hans Nieman security protocols. If effort is put into it, the device could probably be miniaturized 5 or even 10 fold. I saw another video where they test the electronic wand thing they use in security checks and all that was needed a few cm of flesh to pass. This shows that the time delay in broadcast was a very good idea ... at least it will prevent any processing of moves "off body". But I wonder how strong an "on body" micro computer is. For tactical oversight of moves you really don't need a strong processor. I remember several strong GM's losing to Pentium 90Mhz computers several decades ago. In many cases a very strong GM only needs tactical oversight of any possible move to dramatically improve their play. Would be interesting to see how strong tactical an apple or android watch is if playing SF natively.

There is no doubt that technology has made it easy to cheat in chess and this should be taken seriously. The best way to prevent cheating is to try similar "proof of concept" methods to cheat in chess. This will make it much more difficult for the cheater to cheat. As prize money increases, there will be more motivation to cheat.