American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana has shared his views on cheating in chess, emphasizing differences between online platforms and traditional over-the-board events. Speaking on his C Squared Podcast, he noted that he has never witnessed cheating in live tournaments he has played in. Caruana highlighted how online cheating is often handled discreetly compared to the severe consequences in physical settings.
Fabiano Caruana's comments come a day after world champion D Gukesh suggested that cheating concerns in chess are exaggerated. On the C Squared Podcast, Caruana explained that over-the-board cheating receives less attention because online cheating is more prevalent due to its ease. "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," he said.
Caruana pointed out the higher stakes in over-the-board events, including greater financial rewards and the importance of FIDE ratings. When scandals occur, they lead to bans and expulsion from chess. He referenced notable cases, such as Sébastien Feller, who was caught cheating for the French team at the 2010 Chess Olympiad, and Kirill Shevchenko, banned during the 2024 Spanish Team Championship. "We rarely see a GM get caught cheating over the board—maybe once every few years—and then that person is basically banned from chess," Caruana added.
In contrast, online cheating is managed quietly. "Meanwhile online cheating is just swept under the rug. I mean, they find the person, they quietly make sure that nobody finds out who they are," he stated. Caruana speculated that this approach might avoid legal issues or protect careers, though he acknowledged uncertainty about the reasons. Personally, he has never encountered cheating in his own tournaments. "I've never seen it in a tournament that I've played in firsthand. I've never felt that a player was cheating against me over the board," he said.
These insights underscore ongoing debates about integrity in chess, with Caruana advocating for transparency while recognizing the challenges in both formats.