The Ethics of the Endgame: How to Protect Your Name in a Digital Age
In the world of grandmasters and open tournaments, a player’s reputation is often referred to as their "aura." When a grandmaster sat across from an opponent in the 1990s, he didn’t just bring his opening preparation; he brought a decades-long reputation for relentless aggression and psychological dominance. His opponents often lost the game before the first pawn was moved because they were playing against the man’s legend, not just the pieces. However, as Will Rogers famously admonished, “It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.” In chess, as in life, your reputation is your most valuable currency. Once it is devalued, no amount of brilliant play can fully restore its original worth. The Fragility of the "Grandmaster" Title In chess, the title of Grandmaster is for life. Yet, the reputation of a Grandmaster is as fragile as a glass endgame. We have seen players of immense talent fall from grace not because they lost their sk...