Welcome to Rooked: The Cheaters' Gambit. Join hosts Jess and Ryan as they unravel the ongoing chess cheating scandal (among other chess controversies).
Elon Musk tweets - and then deletes - a joke (?) about cheating in chess via anal beads. Suddenly, the game of chess is thrown into the spotlight again, two years after the well-received debut of The Queen's Gambit Netflix series (we have no affiliation, but, like, the SEO is cool for us...and it was a pretty good show, in our opinions).
But what the anal bead headlines are missing is the complicated web of accusations, slander, lies, cheating, and overall drama that is casting a shadow on the once noble game of chess. We're looking for answers - and the truth - as this true crime continues to unfold in the manner of a truly modern whodunnit, where the clues are hidden in the holes of a chessboard, the deepest of Internet rabbit holes...and maybe some other holes, too.
Visit our website at rookedpodcast.xyz to learn more about the show, access transcripts, and discover some neato Easter eggs.
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Welcome to Rooked: The Cheaters' Gambit. Join hosts Jess and Ryan as they unravel the ongoing chess cheating scandal (among other chess controversies).
Elon Musk tweets - and then deletes - a joke (?) about cheating in chess via anal beads. Suddenly, the game of chess is thrown into the spotlight again, two years after the well-received debut of The Queen's Gambit Netflix series (we have no affiliation, but, like, the SEO is cool for us...and it was a pretty good show, in our opinions).
But what the anal bead headlines are missing is the complicated web of accusations, slander, lies, cheating, and overall drama that is casting a shadow on the once noble game of chess. We're looking for answers - and the truth - as this true crime continues to unfold in the manner of a truly modern whodunnit, where the clues are hidden in the holes of a chessboard, the deepest of Internet rabbit holes...and maybe some other holes, too.
Visit our website at rookedpodcast.xyz to learn more about the show, access transcripts, and discover some neato Easter eggs.
Powered by Firstory Hosting

Welcome to Rooked - the podcast that explores the ongoing (and very dramatic) chess cheating controversy.
Two men sit down at a chessboard in front of thousands of spectators both in person and online. One controversial win later, accusations of cheating, lies, and anal beads start to fly. (Yeah, you read that right.) This story has made for some wild news headlines, but beneath the facade is a fascinating tale that could have wide-reaching implications for one of humankind's most competitive and strategic board games. Who is telling the truth? What does a cheater stand to gain in this game? Why is Elon Musk tweeting about morse code anal beads, and what does that have to do with the future of chess?
Join hosts Jess Schmidt, podcast producer (and terrible chess player), and Ryan Webb, avid chess enthusiast (and just okay player) as they unravel the true facts of this case and attempt to discover who the real hero - and villain(s) - could be.
This limited-run series debuts early 2023 - subscribe so that you don't miss a single episode.
Absolute bangers (aka music) composed by Lorna Gilfedder.
Visit our website at rookedpod.xyz to learn more about the show, access transcripts, and discover some neato Easter eggs.