technology
1993 World Open Chess Tournament: Competitor Uses Pseudonym of Late Mathematician John von Neumann
In July 1993, a player disguised as a mathematician who died in 1957 competed in the World Open chess tournament in Philadelphia. Inside Chess reported allegations of remote computer instructions via headphones. Tournament organizers denied a competitor's prize share due to cheating claims.
Apr 14, 6:00 AM·1m read1 source
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
# 1993 World Open Chess Incident Involves Disguised Competitor A disguised player entered the World Open chess tournament in Philadelphia in July 1993 using the name of a mathematician who died in 1957. Inside Chess covered the event with the headline 'The Von Neumann Affair' and a cartoon illustration of the competitor.
Inside Chess stated that Wayne had been receiving instructions remotely from someone using a computer.
Inside Chess assumed that Wayne had received instructions through his headphones. Tournament organizers stated that a competitor had been denied his share of the unrated prize because of alleged cheating. Reitzen and Wayne’s role in the incident was never made public.
developed some of the first superhuman poker bots.
Reitzen was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame. Wayne died of cancer in 2018 with his best friend at his side. 0 or higher, as noted in a Chessbase advertisement. Lucky Devils is a book by Kit Chellel with copyright © 2026 by Kit Chellel, reprinted by permission of Atria Books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, LLC.
Wired reported these details from the 1993 incident and related events.
The incident occurred at the World Open in Philadelphia.
Organizers' statement addressed the denial of the unrated prize share. Inside Chess coverage included the specific headline and cartoon depiction. No further public disclosure occurred regarding Reitzen and Wayne's involvement.
The incident is an early example of disputes over external assistance in chess tournaments.
