For several years (probably since Kasparov vs. Deep Blue or maybe the X3D broadcast) a debate has been brewing on the ethics of real-time online chess game broadcast in international competition. I personally have no opinion to share on the issue because frankly it doesn't effect me.

Recently an article appeared by chessbase extending their views on the subject (fifteen minute delay in broadcast).

"Suspicion is rife in the chess world, and this can be very damaging to the game. Not just that more and more players may be tempted to use – and indeed may already be using – illegal computer assistance (those who are caught and admit to their wrongdoing inevitably say 'doesn't everyone do it?'). Even graver is the fact that not just the cheaters but everyone else is affected: soon nobody will believe a brilliant game. Recently we had the following conversation with a top GM: 'Did you see the 2570 performance by the 13-year-old Indonesian girl?' we asked (WFM Medina Warda Aulia, rated 2035, had just scored 5.0/7 at the Telin Chess International Tournament in Jakarta). Our GM friend's reply: 'So have you figured out which engine she was using?'"

To get a clear view of the changes chessbase has proposed take a look at the official proposal submitted to FIDE (PDF).

As I said this anti-cheating proposal hooplah came about long before now but it really came to a head earlier this year when the FFE (French Chess Federation) accused its own players of cheating and a massive backlash ensued. If you didn't know anything about that the chessbase link above has convenient links to those former articles as well.

Why do I consider this an issue of "chess tech"? Because of devices like the one featured in This Article. I think it is best to assume that EVERYONE cheats in international competition and then come to a fair conclusion as to how to detect the used devices and eliminate the non-cheaters from the list of suspects for the round. I'm certain FIDE will take its time deciding on this one and so nothing will be done in the near future except perhaps what chessbase calls "token measures" ... which happen so frequently.