From the Wonderful World of Statistics:
Soviet Chess Players Colluded Among Themselves
Two Washington University economics professors say they have strong evidence, with the help of statistics, that the game indeed has not always been pure.
Their study suggests that chess players in the former Soviet Union colluded by taking early draws against each other to increase the chances of Soviet success in international competitions.
John Nye says the study he authored, along with Charles Moul, is the first to give mathematical proof of the collusion. They have presented their findings at academic conferences.
In the study, which is still being peer reviewed and considered for publication, Nye and Moul analyzed the results of 4,366 games from 1940 to 1964. They compared the matches of qualifying tournaments for the world championship to those in all-Soviet tournaments.
Nye said his study leaves little doubt in his mind that the Soviets were colluding. But what has not been resolved – and perhaps never will be since most of the players of that era are now dead – is whether it was government-sponsored or a more informal arrangement between compatriots.
Yeah, right, the widespread collusion was maybe just individual combatants making an informal agreement. Uh huh. Right.
