Welcome to Rooked: The Cheaters' Gambit. Join hosts Jess and Ryan as they unravel the ongoing chess cheating scandal (among other chess controversies).
Elon Musk tweets - and then deletes - a joke (?) about cheating in chess via anal beads. Suddenly, the game of chess is thrown into the spotlight again, two years after the well-received debut of The Queen's Gambit Netflix series (we have no affiliation, but, like, the SEO is cool for us...and it was a pretty good show, in our opinions).
But what the anal bead headlines are missing is the complicated web of accusations, slander, lies, cheating, and overall drama that is casting a shadow on the once noble game of chess. We're looking for answers - and the truth - as this true crime continues to unfold in the manner of a truly modern whodunnit, where the clues are hidden in the holes of a chessboard, the deepest of Internet rabbit holes...and maybe some other holes, too.
Visit our website at rookedpodcast.xyz to learn more about the show, access transcripts, and discover some neato Easter eggs.
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Sometimes to figure out where you’re going, you have to look at where you’ve already been - so, here’s a brief history of ALL OF CHESS. Not really, but at least the parts that we think are interesting: who we think chess’ mommy is, the dictator lovin’ FIDE president who was abducted by aliens in yellow space suits, and where the Hawk Tuah girl fits into all this. If you’ve forgotten everything you learned in history class about the Russian revolution, you’ll love this one. Or maybe you’ll hate it - either way, have a listen and yell at us on some form of social media through our handle @rookedpodHosted by good producer / bad chess player Jess Schmidt and first-time podcaster / good chess player Ryan Webb, this series explores the events leading up to and following the Sinquefield Cup cheating scandal and tries to unravel the truth of what really happened - or, failing that, what the heck these events could mean to chess.If you’d like to read a time-coded transcript of this or any other episodes, visit rookedpodcast.xyz/transcripts.Check out the Women in Chess Foundation and support us on Patreon to access monthly bonus content: www.patreon.com/rookedWritten, hosted, edited, and produced by Jess Schmidt and Ryan Webb.Music by Lorna Gilfedder.Marketing by Bailey Simone Photography.ResourcesThe Grandmaster: Magnus Carlsen and the Match That Made Chess Great Again By Brin-Jonathan ButlerThe Immortal Game: A History of Chess; Or How 32 Carved Pieces On a Board Illuminated Our Understanding of War, Art, Science, and the Human Brain by David ShenkHawk TuahAbout FIDEE.T. The Extra Terrestrial "E.T. phone home" sceneStar Wars Main ThemeMr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!Biden and Trump argue over age and golf swings during 2024 presidential debateTRC Royal Proclamation and Covenant of ReconciliationPowered by Firstory Hosting
We’re back with our regularly scheduled scandal, this time examining the legal implications of the Hans Niemann-Magnus Carlsen Sinquefield Cup anal beads cheating affair (say that 10 times fast). A half a billion dollar lawsuit, the Sherman antitrust act, tort law, jurisdictional requests for dismissal…this one has a lot of legal jargon. But we take you through all the twists and turns with not one, but TWO law professors to get to the bottom of exactly what happened (heh heh), speculate about NDAs, and talk about what this lawsuit means for the future of chess.CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses sexual assault and the #MeToo movement. Take care.Hosted by good producer / bad chess player Jess Schmidt and first-time podcaster / good chess player Ryan Webb, this series explores the events leading up to and following the Sinquefield Cup cheating scandal and tries to unravel the truth of what really happened - or, failing that, what the heck these events could mean to chess.If you’d like to read a time-coded transcript of this or any other episodes, visit rookedpodcast.xyz/transcripts.Support us on Patreon to access monthly bonus content: www.patreon.com/rookedWritten, hosted, edited, and produced by Jess Schmidt and Ryan Webb.Music by Lorna Gilfedder.Marketing by Bailey Simone Photography.ResourcesWitness to Yesterday podcastThe Social NetworkA24 Chess movie announcementDolly Parton, Kenny Rogers - Islands In the StreamHans Niemann - original complaint October 20, 2022Niemann v. Carlsen - dismissal June 27, 2024Parks and Rec - funny jail sceneLa La Land - I'm Always Gonna Love YouSlander - Miriam WebsterMore about Anti-SLAPP lawsVINTAGE POP TARTS COMMERCIAL - MID 1960'sI WAS A WORLDCHAMPION WHEN YOU WERE DOING PIPI IN YOUR PAMPERS Magnus Carlsen vs Naroditsy on TwitchPiers Morgan vs Hans Niemann (And His Lawyer) | The Full InterviewMore on Criminal Justice in Indigenous CanadaPowered by Firstory Hosting
Last episode, we took a deep dive into the open secret in chess of rampant sexism, misogyny, and abuse of women. This time we continue that conversation, and look at the ways that the chess community is fighting back to create not just better equality, but better chess. We talk with chessfeels hosts Julia Rios and JJ Lang, Women in Chess Foundation founder Emilia Castelao, streamer and chess player Lile Koridze, commentator and WIM Fiona Steil-Aontoni about what needs to change to finally bring the game we all love into the 21st century.CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses acts of assault, sexual assault, and abuse, including abuse of minors. The end credits also include brief mention of suicide prevention.Hosted by good producer / bad chess player Jess Schmidt and first-time podcaster / good chess player Ryan Webb, this series explores the events leading up to and following the Sinquefield Cup cheating scandal and tries to unravel the truth of what really happened - or, failing that, what the heck these events could mean to chess.If you’d like to read a time-coded transcript of this or any other episodes, visit rookedpodcast.xyz/transcripts.Check out the Women in Chess Foundation and support us on Patreon to access monthly bonus content: www.patreon.com/rookedWritten, hosted, edited, and produced by Jess Schmidt and Ryan Webb.Music by Lorna Gildfedder.Marketing by Bailey Simone Photography.ResourcesRare Interview - Bobby Fischer On WomenBobby Fischer answers the same question about women in chess 10 years apart.Kasparov Interviews by Edward WinterAddressing Sexism in Chess: A Guide to Making Chess More InclusiveJu Wenjun denied seat at 2023 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship"Chess has not been that kind to women," says GM Magnus Carlsen: The Queen's GambitSusan PolgarFacts and Myths About Women in Chess, Dr David Smerdon (GM)Anna Cramling tells Levy Rozman that opponents were sending her sexual messages after her GamesThe Experiences Of Women In ChessFIDE introduces ground-breaking Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI) – 2023 Rankings unveiledJen Shahade tweet: “Very insightful from the great Pia Cramling on this topic” [video]Jordan’s PrinciplePowered by Firstory Hosting
Misogyny and sexism are the two biggest issues we’ve encountered in chess outside cheating. It’s an institutional issue that has for too long been accepted in the sport as normal. Abuse of women in chess is still ongoing at a high frequency, and the organizations and governing bodies surrounding chess have seemingly let it slide…to the point that it’s become an open secret. We talk with Women in Chess Foundation founder Emilia Castelao, streamer and chess player Lile Koridze, and commentator and WIM Fiona Steil-Antoni about how misogyny affects the game, their experience as women in a field primarily dominated by men, and what actions are being taken in order to give women a level playing board. Featuring Jen Shahade’s brave disclosure, and the actions and other revelations it has brought it its wake.CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses acts of assault, sexual assault, and abuse, including abuse of minors. The end credits also include brief mention of suicide prevention.Hosted by good producer / bad chess player Jess Schmidt and first-time podcaster / good chess player Ryan Webb, this series explores the events leading up to and following the Sinquefield Cup cheating scandal and tries to unravel the truth of what really happened - or, failing that, what the heck these events could mean to chess.If you’d like to read a time-coded transcript of this or any other episodes, visit rookedpodcast.xyz/transcripts.Check out the Women in Chess Foundation and support us on Patreon to access monthly bonus content: www.patreon.com/rookedWritten, hosted, edited, and produced by Jess Schmidt and Ryan Webb.Music by Lorna Gildfedder.Marketing by Bailey Simone Photography.ResourcesJen Shahade: We Need To Step Up To Make Sure Chess Is SafeTweet: Time’s up.WSJ ArticleAlejandro’s letter to Saint Louis Chess ClubTweet: Jen’s follow upLichess: Breaking the SilenceThe Experiences Of Women In ChessUS Chess Final Statement About Alejandro RamirezAn Important Message from the Board of DirectorsLessons on WhistleblowingWe, women chess playersFacts and Myths about Gender in ChessTweet: Gulrukhbegim TokhirjonovaTweet: FIDE on SmirinTruth and Reconciliation Commission Healthcare Calls to ActionPowered by Firstory Hosting
In honour of International Women’s Day…this is not the episode on misogyny in chess that we teased last episode. How does that make sense? Well, we want to make sure we get such an important episode right. So instead of that episode, here’s a little bonus instead while we keep working to make sure the next episode is as good as we want it to be. Please enjoy this thrilling tale of two chess murderers: Alexander Pichushkin, aka The Chessboard Killer, and the conniving Claude Bloodgoode who killed his mother and manipulated the USCF rating system from within prison to become the second-highest rated player in the USA. Now, you might be thinking "How does this have anything to do with the Sinquefield Cup scandal?" The answer is, it doesn't - that's what makes this a bonus. Thank you to friend of the pod Trisha Bernardo for suggesting this episode.CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses horrendous serial killer murders - feel free to skip this one, it doesn’t have any bearing on the rest of the series.Hosted by good producer / bad chess player Jess Schmidt and first-time podcaster / good chess player Ryan Webb, this series explores the events leading up to and following the Sinquefield Cup cheating scandal and tries to unravel the truth of what really happened - or, failing that, what the heck these events could mean to chess.If you’d like to read a time-coded transcript of this or any other episodes, visit rookedpodcast.xyz/transcripts.Support us on Patreon to access monthly bonus content: www.patreon.com/rookedWritten, hosted, edited, and produced by Jess Schmidt and Ryan Webb.Music by Lorna Gildfedder.Marketing by Bailey Simone Photography.Further readinghttps://www.chess.com/article/view/chess-criminals-and-the-games-they-playhttps://www.chess.com/blog/Rodgy/how-an-inmate-became-americas-2Powered by Firstory Hosting