The Aeroflot Open, not content with being overshadowed by the Topalov/Kamsky match and Linares, has produced a major development. In Round 6, Mamedyarov with white got squashed by a Russian GM named Igor Kurnosov (2602 rated) in 21 moves. Apparently Kurnosov was leaving the board after every move. Mamedyarov got upset, withdrew from the tournament, and circulated a letter that indicated a suspicion of Kurnosov cheating with Rybka in the ‘toilet’.

in Kurnosov’s defense:
-He was searched by the arbiter, who found nothing but a lighter, cigarettes, and a pen on his person.
-There were only a handful of moves past theory; while his choices mostly matched Rybka, this is hardly exceptional for a GM to match Rybka on 5-6 moves.
-It was reported that Kurnosov was not visiting the toilet, but instead was simply retreating to a smoking area, where he was always in plain sight.

Mamedyarov has handled this quite badly, in my opinion. There are ways to deal with an opponent you suspect has cheated, and this can’t be the best way. His withdrawing has made the whole situation into a public spectacle, making himself look bad (for withdrawing with rather weak evidence of cheating), and putting a huge spotlight on Kurnosov. If Mamedyarov was mistaken, and Kurnosov wasn’t cheating, it’s a terrible thing to do to the guy. His accomplishments will be questioned and any moves he makes will be scrutinized. How can he be comfortable? In the first six rounds, Kurnosov was +4-0=2. After the cheating accusation, he’s had a 12-move draw and a 44-move loss. It certainly makes you wonder how his mindset is right now.

I think Mamedyarov has not done himself any favors for his career here. He may lose out on future invites to tournaments after this rash and potentially damaging decision.

Conspiracy theorists may want to take a look at a previous game from the tournament, Onischuk vs. Kurnosov (0-1). Kurnosov demonstrates a rather remarkable tactical vision in this game, winning with a combination that I dare say looks a little computer-like. However, I am merely a club player and thus am in no way qualified to say what a GM is or isn’t capable of. But, I am confident in saying it’s a more impressive display than his victory over Mamedyarov (which I think would never be suspicious if not for his behavior in leaving the board).

It doesn’t appear that the toilet problems are going away anytime soon. With chess engines now much stronger than humans, and a myriad of ways for players to use an engine themselves, or communicate with someone who is using one, it seems that toilet trips will always be viewed with suspicion. Cheating accusations are unquestionably bad for the game, whether they are founded in truth or not.

So why not start using clear plexiglass bathrooms, similar to the ‘box’ used in the Bilbao tournament? Players would have no way of cheating in the toilet without being spotted, and there would be increased spectator interest with the added draw of being able to watch the players relieve themselves. Yeah, I don’t know why I’m not in charge either.