Gamblers Unmasked in 1993 Chess Cheat Mystery

Source: wired.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

A book excerpt in Wired reveals that professional gamblers Rob Reitzen and John Wayne, nicknamed "the Duke," were behind the 1993 "John von Neumann" incident at the World Open chess tournament in Philadelphia. Wayne disguised himself with fake dreadlocks and used a hidden device to get computer moves from Reitzen during games, including a draw with grandmaster Helgi Ólafsson. The story emerges now from Kit Chellel's book Lucky Devils, based on his interviews with the gamblers, organizers, and players.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

Key points

Details and context

Reitzen, a dyslexic gadget inventor, and ex-soldier Wayne met through chess challenges and built signaling devices like crotch vibrators and belt-buckle cameras for casino edges. Their chess scheme adapted blackjack processors for simpler calculation than poker's bluffs, pitting early 1990s software against grandmasters when Kasparov still beat machines easily.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

The World Open drew mostly male, pale players to a Philadelphia hotel; Wayne stood out and drew crowds for his slow, ceiling-staring style. Ólafsson erred under pressure but later called it a clumsy swindle.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

Chellell verified details via interviews and old reports; the stunt predates phone cheating by decades and anal-bead scandals, marking chess's first suspected computer aid.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

Key quotes

“I was sure I was playing a complete patzer. He had no idea about the game, and I even thought he was on drugs.” — Helgi Ólafsson, to journalists after their draw.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

“I actually remember this game, but I really do not have anything to add … It hit me as a rather clumsy attempt at swindling.” — Helgi Ólafsson, to Kit Chellel years later.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

Why it matters

This unmasks the start of tech cheating in chess, from crude buzzers to today's AI suspicions, showing how gamblers pioneered hidden aids decades early. Chess fans and players get closure on a 33-year puzzle, while organizers see echoes in modern scandals. Watch for more Lucky Devils revelations on gambling tech's casino impacts, though full cheater consequences remain prank-like here.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

What changed

Before 2026, the "John von Neumann" player's identity was unknown, labeled chess's first computer cheat mystery. Kit Chellel's book now names Rob Reitzen and John Wayne via interviews. The reveal came with the April 14, 2026, Wired excerpt.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

FAQ

Q: How did Wayne communicate with Reitzen's chess computer?

A: Wayne used toe switches in his shoes to signal opponent moves; a vibrator in his crotch buzzed instructions from Reitzen's hotel software. Radio links often dropped, forcing long thinks or forfeits. The setup mimicked their casino wearables.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

Q: Why did Wayne draw suspicion from grandmaster Helgi Ólafsson?

A: Ólafsson found Wayne's slow responses to obvious moves odd, thought him drugged or clueless, despite the upset draw. Wayne stared at the ceiling while waiting for signals. Ólafsson later dismissed it as clumsy swindling.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

Q: What happened when tournament officials questioned Wayne?

A: Organizers demanded ID after complaints; Wayne claimed his wife was having a baby and fled. He avoided the director and prize money for unrated players. Reitzen wanted to continue but they quit.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

Q: Why did gamblers Reitzen and Wayne target the 1993 World Open?

A: They sought fun "shits and giggles" testing homemade chess software against pros, unlike complex poker. Both enjoyed casual chess; it was a side stunt from casino tech. Their MIT-linked team gave calculation edge.[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)

[[1]](https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-lucky-devils-1993-chess-mystery-solved/)