For years, chess was seen as a pure battle of intellect, free from the corruption often associated with money-driven sports.
But as gambling in chess grows through mediums like online betting, sponsorship deals, and under-the-table hustling, concerns over fair play, match-fixing, and financial exploitation are on the rise.
From high-stakes tournament betting to the underground world of chess hustling, chess faces a new reality where money can influence moves just as much as strategy.
But how deep does this phenomenon run? And what can be done to protect chess’s integrity while allowing financial growth? Let’s break it down.
The Rise of Gambling in Chess
Over the past decade, chess has transformed from a quiet intellectual pursuit to a global spectacle, thanks to online platforms and high-profile tournaments.
With that shift, betting companies have found a way to cash in, creating gambling markets where people can place wagers on chess games, player performance, and even individual moves.
At first glance, it might not seem like a big deal. After all, betting has existed in sports for decades.
But unlike traditional sports, chess relies entirely on mental discipline, which means it’s much easier for a player to manipulate a game without making it obvious.
Online Gambling and Chess
With online chess becoming more popular than ever, betting has followed suit. Now, anyone can log onto a gambling site and place bets on:
- Who will win a specific game or tournament?
- The rating points a player will gain or lose.
- In-game scenarios include whether a player will sacrifice a piece or accept a draw.
The issue is that online chess platforms don’t fully regulate betting, making it easier for unethical behavior to go unnoticed.
Match-fixing and rating manipulation have become real concerns, and without proper oversight, gambling could make online chess an easy target for fraud.
Tournament Betting and Sponsorships
Betting isn’t just happening online. Live chess tournaments have also become a gambling market, with some events and players even securing sponsorship deals with betting companies.
An example was the contract signed between Unibet, a big betting company, and Magnus Carlsen.
This matter presents a dilemma: Should chess embrace these sponsorships for financial gain, or will it come at the cost of fairness?
The rise of gambling in tournaments has also increased the number of unofficial ways chess players make money.
Some players, particularly in smaller events, have been caught fixing results, intentionally underperforming, or betting against themselves to take advantage of the odds.
These unethical tactics pose threats to the spirit of competitive chess and can make it harder for genuine players to succeed.
Threats to Chess Integrity
Money has always had the potential to corrupt competitive sports, and chess is no different. Gambling creates two major integrity threats:
- Match-fixing and collusion, where players intentionally lose or manipulate games
- Cheating and Technology, where players use engines, hidden signals, or online assistance to gain an unfair advantage.
We’ll now take a closer look at these threats.
Match Fixing and Collusion
One of the biggest problems with betting in chess is sandbagging.
This swindling tactic involves a player intentionally losing games to lower their rating and deceive unsuspecting opponents, only to dominate lower-rated tournaments later and win big prizes.
The sandbagging tactic isn’t just unfair. It’s a direct way for gamblers to exploit betting markets by betting on “unexpected” comebacks.
Hustling is another form of gambling that has existed in street chess for decades.
Some players intentionally lose small games to convince their opponents they aren’t strong, only to raise the stakes and win big when money is on the line.
While hustling is a common part of street chess culture, it becomes problematic when it affects tournament integrity.
Another form of manipulation happens in team events, where players collaborate to fix results.
A competitor might agree to draw or lose a game if it benefits their team’s overall standings, especially when prize money is involved. This directly affects betting odds and destroys fair competition.
Cheating and Technology
Modern chess cheating isn’t just about sneaking a glance at an engine; it has become an entire industry.
Some gamblers use advanced chess engines to place highly accurate bets, while some players receive signals from outside sources to manipulate their games.
Some of the biggest concerns include:
- Engine-assisted cheating, where players secretly use chess software to guarantee wins and manipulate betting outcomes. An example of this was the 2015 case of Grandmaster Gaioz Nigalidze. He was caught using a chess engine on his smartphone to manipulate the result of the game he was playing. Gaioz would go to the restroom, consult the engine, and then return to play the engine-suggested moves. The frequent visits to the restroom raised the attention of the arbiters, and he was caught. While there isn’t any concrete proof that Gaioz Nigalidze placed a bet on his match, it is highly possible that he manipulated the match to ensure he won and received the prize money.
- Hidden communication, where players receive signals or outside assistance in live tournaments.
- Anonymous online accounts allow players to create multiple profiles and manipulate betting odds by playing under different identities.
Without stronger anti-cheating measures, chess gambling markets will continue to be in danger of exploitation.
Notable Chess Gambling Scandals
The Magnus-Nepo Blitz World Title Split
During the final round of the World Blitz Championship, Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi, who were tied for the lead, were seen on a video discussing the possibility of sharing the title as they were both on equal points.
In the video, Magnus was seen to have said, “If they refuse, we can just play short draws until they give up”
This led to accusations of match-fixing, with some fans and chess commentators questioning the players’ actions and FIDE’s lack of action.
Magnus publicly addressed the situation, stating that his words were a joke about FIDE’s poor tiebreaker rules and not an attempt to influence the outcome.
Nepo also stated that he and Carlsen had decided to share the title because they felt it was the fairest outcome given the circumstances.
FIDE ultimately agreed to the demands of the players and named them joint winners.
While it is clear that both players had no ulterior motives or bad intentions, this occurrence highlights the possibility of match-fixing in chess and how it can be a way of manipulating results to favor bets.
The Impact on Professional Chess
Beyond a negative perception of the game, gambling in chess has lasting effects on players’ careers, tournaments, and even sponsorships.
Player Reputation and Trust
In competitive chess, trust is everything. Once a player is accused of cheating, their reputation is permanently damaged, even if they’re later proven innocent.
Young players are particularly vulnerable, as they may face pressure to engage in betting scams or sandbagging to secure financial stability.
An example of this is the case of Grandmaster Hans Niemann. In 2022, Hans was accused of cheating in a game by the then-world champion, Magnus Carlsen.
Magnus Carlsen was not able to provide any proof to back the allegation, but it was discovered and even admitted by Hans himself that he had cheated in some games in the past when he was younger.
Hans’ past would come to haunt him as his previous involvement in cheating tarnished his reputation.
Sponsorship and Tournament Integrity
Some tournament organizers have embraced gambling sponsorships, arguing that they bring more funding into the sport.
However, others worry that chess could lose credibility if gambling continues to influence match results, player motivation, and public perception.
Protecting Chess Integrity
Certain efforts need to be made to protect the integrity of the game and ensure that chess does not entirely fall into the dark abyss of gambling.
FIDE Regulations and Enforcement
FIDE has drawn a hard line against gambling in chess. Players, arbiters, and officials can’t place bets on games they’re involved in, and they definitely can’t share insider information with gamblers.
If you’re considering making money off chess betting while competing, FIDE will shut that down fast.
If a player throws a game on purpose, whether for a bet or to help a friend in a tournament, FIDE considers it match-fixing. This violation has heavy consequences like players getting banned from participating in tournaments or even getting their titles stripped away.
How FIDE Enforces These Rules
FIDE’s Fair Play Commission monitors suspicious games, unusual rating drops, and betting trends.
If it finds a player violating fair play rules, the punishments are severe, ranging from tournament bans to stripped titles and even lifetime suspensions.
Chess is supposed to be a game of pure skill, not manipulated by gambling and match-fixing. As gambling in chess grows, FIDE is making sure the rules get stricter.
Community Awareness and Education
Beyond regulation, players need to be educated on the risks of gambling. Many young players don’t realize how involvement in match-fixing or betting scams can ruin their careers.
The chess community must work together to eliminate unethical hustling, sandbagging, and betting scams that threaten fair play.
The Future of Chess and Gambling
Gambling is not going away anytime soon. The question is whether chess can regulate it effectively or if it will spiral out of control.
If handled properly, the unconventional ways chess players make money could evolve into legitimate financial opportunities.
However, if unchecked, there are concerns that gambling would pose dangers to the integrity of the sport.
Conclusion
Gambling has created new opportunities and risks for chess. While betting can increase financial support for the game, it also opens the door to match-fixing, sandbagging, and unethical behavior.
Strong anti-cheating measures and ethical sponsorship policies are necessary for chess to maintain its integrity.
The chess world must find a balance between financial growth and preserving fair competition.
Additionally, vinyl chessboards, which are common in street chess, remain a symbol of informal betting culture, showing that chess and gambling have been intertwined long before online betting markets even existed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is There Gambling in Chess?
Yes, gambling has become a growing part of chess, especially with online betting.
Can You Gamble On Pro Chess?
Yes, many betting sites allow wagers on major chess tournaments.
Is Chess Haram in Islam?
Islamic scholars are divided on this. Some believe that chess is permissible, and others aren’t.
How is Match-fixing Done in Chess?
Players can fix matches by intentionally losing to help someone else or secure a specific result.
join the conversation