'Are We Mossad Agents In Iran?': Hikaru Nakamura Slams FIDE’s Tough Anti-Cheating Rules At Candidates

New Delhi, Apr 2: American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has slammed the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for its stringent anti-cheating measures at the ongoing Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, calling them "complete nonsense".

The world number two expressed his frustration when asked about the anti-cheating measures at the elite tournament to determine D Gukesh’s challenger for the world championship later this year.

Nakamura criticises stringent anti-cheating measures

He said the scanners and machines around the playing area have made the players feel like Mossad (Israeli intelligence) agents operating inside Iran.

"My general view about the whole topic of delay, cheating over the board, all that stuff is that I frankly think it's nonsense. I do think it really is, considering the amount of machines they have to scan the players in the room," Nakamura said on his YouTube channel in conversation with Norwegian GM Jon Ludvig Hammer and Luxembourg's WIM Fiona Steil-Antoni.

Nakamura, one of the eight players competing in the Open section of the Candidates, added that FIDE should "get real", saying it was impossible to cheat with an elite field and so many arbiters in the playing hall.

Calls fears 'overblown' amid tight security

"I think it's all complete nonsense. That not to say I have a problem with that per se, but I just think that the fears that some players have expressed. I'm just going to be honest... they scan us before the games, they scan us after the game," he said.

"They have the metal detectors, they have the separate scanners, I mean... I feel like what are we all? Mossad agents inside Iran or something. Come on, we are chess players, let's be real, seriously, let's be real," said Nakamura, who drew his fourth-round match with Wei Yi to be on just 1.5 points.

Asked if he had given his feedback to FIDE, he said he didn't "see a reason" to do so.

"(But) my general view is that it's all overblown. At a smaller open tournament where you don't have all these scanners and equipment, I can understand the concerns.

"But at an event like this, where everybody is in a room, there are arbiters watching everyone, and cameras on everyone... I mean, without inside help, nothing can happen. I just think it's all nonsense."

Security concerns and Cyprus venue debated

With India's two-time world rapid champion Koneru Humpy pulling out of the women's section of the Candidates due to Cyprus' proximity to the Gulf conflict, Nakamura said the concerns were "overblown."

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"Fabi (Fabiano Caruana) has expressed concerns before the event being held in Cyprus, Humpy obviously withdrew. And I didn't say anything about the topic at all, so of course I haven't said anything to FIDE. My general view towards all this is that I think it's all overblown."

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