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This is really funny...or sad.
One of the Pogchamps competitors got DQd for flagrant computer cheating.
It even caught the attention of super-GM Fabiano Caruana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4j7-Y2fPLY

Is anyone here part of the 140,000 strong Team World that is taking on Magnus?

I only became aware of this today, alas my enthusiasm was immediately dampened when I read that it is heading for a draw 😥

No, Brendan. I was intermittently aware of the event at the beginning, but forgot about it.

Many years ago (pre-2000 iirc) I followed to an extent (but did not participate in) the first event of this type, "Kasparov vs. the World". It became somewhat of a fiasco and I tuned out. There was some kind of forum for discussion of moves, but it got poisoned by trolls. It even appeared that people were deliberately voting for bad moves. Kasparov won.

Nowadays with all the engine use, I assumed the game would be a draw unless voting dynamics became pathological.

I think there was a recent "Anand vs. the World" but don't know the result.

Indy 12,086 (Phi)

11 Playing chess to alarm - here's an easy win (8,4)

I can do that one!

The oft-overlooked Rodney Dangerfield ("I don't get no respect") world champion makes a rare appearance.

Guardian 29,754 (Imogen) 5 across. News: it's about former chess champion (7)

Spam reported - and removed by the ever present Admin😂

I solved that one without understanding it, Geeker - I assumed there must be a champion called DING.
Who's Rodney Dangerfield?

Google found him. Never heard of him.

Hi Geeker,

I'm a tad bemused by Rodney Dangerfield comment - Google thinks his name is now associated with a chess defence, is that correct?

I also had a look at the Dr Lupo Pogbchamps video which I seem to have missed previously. His "apology" was as farcical as his sudden GM level play. First he denied it, even going so far as to call his opponent live on his podcast to try to entice him into say that he agreed there had been no cheating. Then he begrudgingly admitted that he may have been following some moves suggested in the chat as the game was being played. Next, and only when the evidence was incontroverible, he finally admitted to using a chess engine.

But wait, he had one more move left to play that nobody, other than the entire world, could see coming.... it was because he struggles with his mental health! Yes, he's a victim you see, not a bad guy - the get out of jail free card that every celeb and wannabee uses today with seeming impunity.

So please everyone, let's send him our messages of sympathy and support and, most important of all: don't forget to click the 'like' and 'subscribe' button!

Brendan,

Sorry, Rodney Dangerfield was a US pop culture reference (I knew nothing about the chess opening!).

RD was an old-fashioned "Borscht Belt" stand-up comedian who became ultra-popular in the 1980s after appearing in "Caddyshack" and other films ("Back to School" comes to mind). Many of his jokes ended with the trademark phrase "I don't get no respect", which became iconic ("meme" hadn't been invented). He was all over the late-night talk shows in those days.

Ding basically got no respect as WC and still doesn't, as his chess performances continue to lag. In his defence, he truly (unlike Dr. Lupo) had some health problems, likely including mental issues related to pressure.

Some video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0toL3C0R14

I tuned out the Dr. Lupo thing after seeing the original tapes and GM analysis. Fortunately I missed the (sadly predictable) BS you mentioned.