DrLupo accused of cheating in $100K chess tournament: What really happened at PogChamps 6?

Time of India

02-05-2025

Image via DrLupo/Twitter
The chess world just had its drama moment — and this time, it wasn't about grandmasters. Popular streamer
DrLupo
has found himself at the center of a heated controversy during
PogChamps 6
, a fan-favorite online chess tournament hosted by Chess.com. Let's break it down — short, sharp, and drama-filled. Here's a quick breakdown of everything that went down.
DrLupo is a CHESS CHEATER? Game analysis and aftermath!
The Game That Raised Eyebrows
On April 30, DrLupo, a Twitch personality with a chess rating around 650, faced off against Wolfey (Wolfe Glick), a YouTuber rated over 1300. On paper, Wolfey was the heavy favorite.
But midway through the match, things took a strange turn.
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Undo
DrLupo blundered early, losing his queen—usually a death sentence in such a lopsided matchup. But instead of collapsing, he played near-perfect chess for the rest of the game. His moves were unusually precise—almost suspiciously so for a beginner.
Chess fans watching live began to speculate: Was he getting outside help?
The Evidence That Sparked the Fire
Clips from the match showed DrLupo glancing at his second monitor during critical moments. Combine that with flawless post-blunder gameplay, and the internet was buzzing.
Many pointed fingers at possible stream sniping or reading Twitch chat, where viewers often blurt out suggestions—sometimes even accurate moves. Suspicion turned into full-blown controversy.
DrLupo's Side of the Story
DrLupo denied intentionally cheating.
He explained that he had the main PogChamps broadcast running on a second screen to keep up with the tournament and claimed that's where he accidentally saw move suggestions. He admitted this was a mistake and said, '
That's my f**k up… I apologize. I pulled moves from chat. I couldn't stop looking. I should've known better
.'
In a follow-up post, he said he'd decided to withdraw voluntarily 'to maintain competitive integrity.' But Chess.com's official statement painted a different picture: he was removed due to a 'fair play violation.'
Chess.com Steps In
Shortly after the match, Chess.com issued a blunt announcement: DrLupo's account had been closed for violating fair play rules. They confirmed he would be replaced in the bracket moving forward.
The platform made it clear—receiving help of any kind during a match, even unintentionally, breaks tournament rules and leads to disqualification.
The Internet Reacts (As Always)
Social media didn't hold back.
From sarcastic jabs to full-on roasts, comments poured in. Some called it 'the most obvious cheating ever,' while others mocked the situation by comparing it to sponsored streams gone wrong.
But amid the noise, a bigger conversation emerged: even casual, creator-driven tournaments can't escape the importance of fairness.
Final Thoughts
Was it malicious cheating or just a streamer slipping up? That's up for debate. What's clear is that the PogChamps 6 controversy serves as a wake-up call. Even in laid-back, fun events, rules matter. And when $100,000 is on the line, people are watching—very closely.