Eye on the Prize: New Technology Aims to End Cheating in Online Chess
VADR Media has announced a series of strategic moves to bolster Checkmate Live, their esports-first chess platform. These include the acquisition of European-based Szuperchess, a groundbreaking research and development partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII), and a collaboration with Tencent Cloud. Together, these initiatives are setting a new standard for fair play in online chess and gaming.
Checkmate Live: The Future of Online Chess Esports
Checkmate Live is a next-generation esports-first chess and broadcasting platform developed by VADR Media. Key features include:
- Cutting-edge technology enabling players of all skill levels to compete for cash prizes, credits, and collectibles
- Advanced broadcasting capabilities for tournaments and events
- Integration of AI-powered anti-cheat measures
- Community-centric approach to online chess
Addressing the Cheating Challenge in Online Chess
John McRae, VADR Managing Director, emphasized the importance of this acquisition:
"When we initiated the project, we identified the issue of cheating in online chess as a significant fair play and business risk, especially with cash and crypto prize pools being added into the equation. After considerable efforts by our team, the acquisition of Szuperchess, partnerships with key governance bodies and a partnership with Tencent Cloud, we're ready to bring the fight to those who don't play fair."
Szuperchess Acquisition: Enhancing Anti-Cheat Capabilities
VADR Media's acquisition of Szuperchess, renowned for its AI Gaze tracking Anti-Cheat technology, marks a significant advancement for Checkmate Live. This innovative technology, dubbed the "Zoom for chess tournaments," monitors players in real-time during competitive matches. ensuring a level playing field. This technology aligns perfectly with VADR Media's development of Checkmate Live, an esports-first chess tournament and broadcasting platform.
Joan Buch Prades, Founder of Szuperchess, expressed his enthusiasm:
"Our proprietary technology gives Checkmate a significant competitive edge and the ability to scale cash tournaments globally. Szuperchess has been battle-tested by grandmasters across multiple tournaments, and I'm excited to join their AI and integrity team and help expand its capabilities."
UTS AAII Partnership: Advancing AI in Chess Integrity
The groundbreaking research and development partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII) further strengthens Checkmate Live's anti-cheating capabilities. This collaboration aims to develop state-of-the-art anti-cheating technology for online chess, addressing one of the most pressing issues in competitive online gaming.
Combating Cheating in Online Chess Tournaments
John McRae, VADR Managing Director, emphasized the importance of these strategic moves:
"We identified cheating in online chess as a significant fair play and business risk, especially with cash prize pools. Our acquisition of Szuperchess, partnership with UTS AAII, collaborations with key governance bodies, and alliance with Tencent Cloud position Checkmate Live to effectively combat unfair play and provide a trustworthy platform for chess enthusiasts and professionals alike."
Tencent Cloud Partnership: Accelerating Chess Esports
The partnership with Tencent Cloud, a leader in cloud computing, AI, and anti-cheat protection, will accelerate Checkmate Live's position as a premier chess esports platform while ensuring competitive integrity.
Addressing High-Profile Cheating Incidents
High-profile cheating allegations, such as the Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann incident, have highlighted the need for effective real-time anti-cheat solutions.
Stephen Hanna, Director of Global Strategy and Partnerships at the Esports Integrity Commission, added:
"The Checkmate Live and VADR team have shown that they are gearing up to be leaders in promoting integrity measures in chess and online, and we are delighted to be working with them to bring fair play and true competitive integrity to casual and tournaments."
Expanding Fair Play Across Esports
Checkmate Live's and VADR Media's fair play initiative extends beyond chess, with plans to implement the technology in mind sports, video games, igaming, and metaverse projects. VADR, a member of the Esports Integrity Commission and the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, has secured exclusive partnerships with the Asian Chess Federation and Arab Esports Federation, covering 73 national chess and esports federations.
This addition highlights VADR's commitment to industry standards and ethical practices in both esports and the broader gaming industry. The membership in the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association further underscores Checkmate Live's position at the intersection of competitive gaming and entertainment.