Checkmate Live and UTS AAII: Pioneering AI-Driven Integrity in Online Chess

Checkmate Live, a next-generation esports-first chess and broadcasting platform, has announced a groundbreaking research and development partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII). This collaboration aims to develop state-of-the-art anti-cheating technology for online chess, addressing one of the most pressing issues in the rapidly growing world of competitive online gaming.

This collaboration follows VADR Media's recent acquisition of Szuperchess, a renowned European company known for its groundbreaking Computer Vision Anti-Cheat technology for Checkmate Live. The platform has been launched as a stand-alone entity to accelerate online speed chess as an esport, with a community-centric ethos.

Checkmate, a member of the Esports Integrity Commission, is well positioned to be a leader in the space, having secured exclusive partnerships with the Asian Chess Federation and Arab Esports Federation, designating Checkmate as their exclusive tournament platform, data, and broadcast partner. These partnerships encompass 73 national chess and esports federations, effectively covering a significant portion of the global chess and esports community.

About UTS and AAII

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is a leading Australian institution, delivering innovative research solutions to the Defence and Aerospace industries. UTS hosts the NSW Defence Innovation Network and co-hosts the NSW Space Research Network, collaborating with key national and international defense organizations.

The Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII) at UTS is a world-leading research institute in artificial intelligence. Its vision is to develop theoretical foundations and advanced algorithms for AI, driving progress in computational intelligence, business intelligence, computer vision, data science, machine learning, brain-computer interface, bioinspired neural networks, and information systems.

Key facts about AAII:

• Boasts three distinguished professors, two IEEE Fellows, three ARC Future Fellows/QEII Fellow, and seven DECRAs
• Comprises over 35 core academic staff, 10 postdocs, and 200 PhD students
• Has led 34 ARC projects and been awarded over 60 industry projects
• Specializes in machine learning, behaviour analytics, predictive analytics, data visualization, natural language processing, and human-centered ethical AI

UTS features seven specialized AI research labs, each focusing on crucial aspects of AI technology and applications.

The Chess Boom and the Cheating Challenge

The partnership addresses critical issues in online chess:

• 700 million global chess players, with 420 million playing online monthly
• 420 million players aged 18-34, mirroring the esports demographic
• Increasing incidents of cheating due to AI and chess engine advancements

Advanced Multi-Model AI Approach

The collaboration focuses on creating a specialized multi-model AI system to detect and prevent cheating in real-time, ensuring the integrity of online chess competitions.

Under the leadership of Associate Professor Nabin Sharma, a passionate chess player and organizer, Professor Ling Chen, and Associate Professor Guodong Long, the UTS project team brings together world-class researchers with expertise in Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Multi-model expertise.

Professor Nabin Sharma expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership:

"The UTS AAII team is thrilled about this collaboration. Chess and Artificial Intelligence go hand in hand. While chess has historically served as a testbed for AI advancements, it has also played a significant role in driving progress in various areas, from search algorithms to advanced machine learning techniques. What sets this project apart is its specialized multi-model AI approach."

Technical Specifications and Infrastructure

• Evidence and Blackbox approaches to cheat detection leveraign AI and ML
• Integrates with Checkmate Live's proprietary Computer Vision Anti-Cheat technology
• Employs scalable cloud-based architecture for millions of concurrent users
• Delivers low-latency data processing for real-time cheat detection

Strategic Partnerships

Checkmate Live's commitment to fair play includes:

• Exclusive collaborations with Asian Chess Federation and Arab Esports Federation
• Coverage of 73 national chess and esports federations
• Membership in the Esports Integrity Commission
• Partnership with Tencent Cloud for advanced AI and anti-cheat expertise

John McRae, Managing Director of VADR Media, emphasized their commitment to fair play:

"We are deeply passionate about Fair Play and have taken proactive measures, implementing integrity protocols with trusted partners and investing in R&D. Our newly formed alliance with the UTS Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII), along with collaborations with key governing bodies in chess and esports, reflect our dedication to enhancing the community experience and accelerating speed chess as an esport."

A Royal Endorsement

His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahayan, President of the Asian Chess Federation and a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family, expressed his full support for the collaboration:

"This is an exciting chapter in the journey of chess. The Asian Chess Federation has always supported innovation with a mission to ensure this global cultural phenomenon has the widest possible access. The online world has enabled incredible reach with the advent of internet coverage and developments in mobile technology; billions have the opportunity to play this glorious game. Online integrity is a considerable challenge, and our partners, Checkmate, have invested considerable resources in AI to address this matter. This latest partnership will enable the appropriate safeguards for competitive chess at every level."

Speed Chess: The Rising Esport

The partnership coincides with speed chess's growing recognition as an esport, including:

• Inclusion in the Olympic Virtual Series
• Medal event status at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games
• Potential inclusion in future Olympic Esports Games

Future Developments

• Ongoing AI research for game analysis and player improvement
• Potential expansion into other competitive online games
• Exploration of blockchain for secure, transparent gameplay records

This collaboration between Checkmate Live and UTS AAII represents a significant advancement in online game integrity technology, with far-reaching implications for the esports industry and competitive online gaming.