Arturs Neiksans

Latvian GM, Content Creator

“I’m not playing in any online tournaments at all. Maybe it has something to do with that I’m also a bit paranoid.

But on a serious note, it’s such a tricky subject. Because when I would go online and I would play in a Titled Tuesday tournament, and then comes, let’s say, a Candidate Master of 2100 — and he just beats me like nothing! I’m thinking, if we had these matches over-the-board, would you be able to recreate that?

It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s foul play involved. It’s just a different world. It’s different ecosystem. People play online, they play thousands of games and playing over-the-board is just different. There’s different set of skills.

I love playing casual Blitz. I can log in on Chess.com or Lichess and just play there. But I’m not playing in tournaments. And now there is this extra thing — Chess.com’s Proctor, it definitely discourages me to play. Now I need to have two cameras, one in front, one in the back. And when there’s a larger event, the Fair Play officer asks you to show around the room. I even once got to open a closet to show if anybody’s inside!

I’m not very comfortable with that, but I understand. I mean, something needs to be done…”