FIDE And World Chess Beef Up Cybersecurity

Government secrets. Nuclear launch codes. Encrypted information. Chess strategy? FIDE and World Chess, the organizer of the World Chess Championship cycle of events, have beefed up cybersecurity by announcing Kaspersky Lab as their official cybersecurity partner.

According to the release, “The partnership between Kaspersky Lab, FIDE and World Chess will include complex cybersecurity protection for FIDE headquarters, several national chess federations, chess players competing in the World Chess Championship and the online infrastructure for each tournament. It also includes cybersecurity training for players. Kaspersky Lab’s branding will be visible on all player tables during the matches of the World Chess Championship 2017-18.”

Like other sports, chess has evolved with the times, and technology has begun playing a larger part in preparation for major events. With the increasing use of computers for training and strategy planning, the threat of hacking has grown. World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway sought out the aid of Microsoft to keep his strategy private and untouched ahead of his title defense against Sergey Karjakin of Russia in New York City in November 2016. The two were deadlocked after the best-of-12 series and it took Carlsen a series of tiebreakers to retain the title he originally won in 2013.

About the author

Michael LoRé

Sports Editor

Michael has been obsessed with sports since he started playing recreationally when he was 5 years old. Realizing he couldn't make it as a professional athlete and was a decent enough writer, the lightbulb went off: sports journalist. After honing his craft at the University of Delaware, Michael has covered anything and everything from scholastic field hockey to the World Series. Born and raised in New Jersey, Michael now lives in New York City, having worked most recently for New York City FC and the NHL. His favorite sport is soccer.