Genius, Lies, Ambition, and the Biggest Scandal in Chess

The James Altucher Show | 2 June 2026 | 0h 59m | Listen Later | Podcasts | Spotify
Interview with Ben Mezrich about his book Checkmate: Genius, Lies, Ambition, and the Biggest Scandal in Chess. Discusses the Hans Niemann chess cheating scandal: world champion Magnus Carlsen’s unprecedented accusation against the 19-year-old bad boy of chess. Examines the mechanics of over-the-board cheating, the viral “anal beads” rumor, and Mezrich’s discovery of a suspicious photographer at the Sinkfield Cup. Covers the generational clash in elite chess and the upcoming A24 film adaptation produced by Emma Stone.