A 19-year-old Chinese professional Go player, Qin Siyue, has been banned for eight years after being caught using a mobile phone and AI software during a tournament match, the Chinese Go Association announced on February 26.
Qin was exposed during the 2024 National Go Championship (Women’s Division) on December 15, when referees conducting a routine check discovered a hidden phone. Investigations revealed she had smuggled the device into the venue early in the morning and later tried to cover up the violation.
As punishment, the association stripped her of her professional ranking, disqualified her from the tournament, and prohibited her from competing in any sanctioned events for eight years. Officials stressed that her actions seriously damaged the integrity of the game and reaffirmed their commitment to fair play in Go.
Go, a strategy game often compared to chess, is one of the oldest board games in existence, requiring deep tactical thinking and territorial control. Qin’s AI-assisted deception underscores the growing challenge of technology-driven cheating in professional mind sports.
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