There is so much controversy in the world that one could understandably not know much about the controversy in international chess right now. Five-time World Champion Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen from Norway lost to 19-year-old Grandmaster American Hans Neimann. Then, in a rematch, Carlsen resigned after just one move. Soon thereafter, Carlsen made a public statement that he thought Neimann was cheating, somehow accessing computer AI software to aid him in his game.
For Carlsen, the evidence was in Neimann’s apparent lack of concentration and that he did not seem even tense during the game at all. For the casual onlooker, this might seem like a World Champion just being bitter about being beaten by a teenager. What gives the accusation more teeth is that Neimann has been caught cheating previously when he won multiple tournaments in the chess.com community using artificial intelligence to decide his upcoming moves. Neimann says that he does not cheat anymore and that his “board game” play has been legitimate.
So why should we care? It is just a game, right? Proverbs 10:9 instructs us, Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Honesty and trustworthiness are more than “old-fashioned values.” These are the bedrock of meaningful relationship. Carlsen and Neimann will not play chess together again until Carlsen is satisfied the game is legitimate. In the same way, we may choose to avoid relationships with people who we believe do not value honesty and trustworthiness. This applies to family, friends, teachers and students, the workplace, and church, too.
The hardest moments to be honest are sometimes in the little things. Jesus speaks to this when he says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” – Luke 16:10
This week I would challenge you to put all of our words to the test. This includes work, home, friends, family, church, even with your server at a restaurant - everywhere you go. Where are the times it is a little easier to bend the truth? How did you do? And, did you speak truth in love? Being trustworthy is a mark of a faithful disciple, and a sign of whom we follow.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rob
Jenkins, Sally. “Perspective | When Chess Is Hard and Cheating Is Easy, the next Move Is Complicated.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 28 Sept. 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/09/27/magnus-carlsen-hans-niemann-chess-cheating-controversy/.
