Blockchain Is Involved in the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2020

The FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2020 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, was postponed due to coronavirus. However, the organizers found a solution. World Chess reports that it is considering hosting online matches using blockchain technology.

Ilya MERENZON, World Chess CEO, tournament organizer and official commercial partner of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), commented on the situation:

«Unlike other sports, chess can be played with equal excitement offline and online. That is something that sets it apart from all the other major sports. In the absence of other major sporting events, the Candidates Tournament received unprecedented press coverage this time around».

According to Merenzon, chess is a game of gentlemen, but the mechanism for tracking cheaters will help to avoid contentious issues. FIDE Blockchain Partner Algorand and World Chess have been working on a project over the past few months to create a blockchain mechanism that will help track cheating during the game and accurately record scores. The project is expected to be launched in a few weeks. The FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2020 will be held later, and the match for the world title is currently scheduled for November.

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