Chinese Chess Champion Forfeits Victory Amid Controversy, Denies Cheating Allegations
Chinese chess champion Yan Chenglong recently faced controversy after his tournament victory in the Chess King tournament held in Hainan. Yan Chenglong, a 48-year-old amateur from Henan province, emerged victorious in the competition but was subsequently accused of engaging in "bad behavior" after the tournament.
Reports indicated that the Chinese Xiangqi Association (CXA) launched an investigation into Yan's conduct, leading to his forfeiture of the victory and the prize money of 100,000 yuan (about $13,988). The association revealed that Yan had allegedly defaced hotel property, including defecating in the bathtub, following some drinks, resulting in a suspension from Xiangqi tournaments for a year due to violating "public order and good morals."
Additionally, there were online accusations, widely reported by Chinese state media, alleging that Yan might have cheated during the tournament using a vibrating sex toy to communicate with others. However, Yan vehemently denied these claims in an interview with a state-run magazine, labeling the allegations as slanderous. He expressed his intention to contest the association's decision and pursue legal action against the online accusations.
Despite the speculation surrounding the use of a sex toy to cheat, the CXA's statement did not confirm this speculation, stating they were unable to conclude this from available information.
This incident follows previous instances of cheating allegations in competitive board games, including a recent investigation into accusations of cheating involving Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann in the 2022 Sinquefield Cup, where similar allegations surfaced.
Competitive chess, as well as other strategic board games, has seen instances where cheating allegations involving vibrating sex toys have gained attention, resulting in investigations and public debate within the gaming community.
