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by nlzoperand 1384 days ago
I wonder why everyone focuses on electronic communication and wearable devices.

There are tons of acoustic side channels if an accomplice watches the live stream outside of the playing venue. Set up construction site and use a hammer just loud enough to be just barely heard from the inside. Bird sounds, music, the possibilities are endless.

Very few bits of information need to be transmitted for the best three moves.

4 comments

At least one participant in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire cheated by having an accomplice in the audience coughing.

https://millionaire.fandom.com/wiki/Coughing

Easy, just delay the stream by 5 minutes, they already do that in egames.
Then chess games will be held inside windowless, purpose built sound proof rooms with only staff members inside, and the players will be forced to leave their shoes and socks at the door and wear tournament-provided slippers. Construction work around the building will also be stopped during the tournament.
This sounds like what is already done for some Go/Baduk tournaments. And cameras are only allowed at the beginning and end of matches.

https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/70879967/188520577...

Sounds extreme but you're basically describing every TV studio + a standard uniform. Not so crazy for entertainment professionals.
it's possible there was a banging of trash cans too lol