Russian news has been covering a story about “Chess-cheating,” or alleged “Chess-cheating.”

“Chess-cheating” has become a regular occurrence, every few months a news story appears from some part of the globe.

The offences or the “alleged offences,” usually involve the illicit use of modern technology and in some instances, the help of an accomplice.

What makes this recent story very different is the fact it focuses on the behaviour of two young female children.

As two young children are involved, this also takes us into the realm of human relationships.

No parent likes to be faced with the suggestion that their child is telling lies, parents find that very hard to accept.  They maybe very quick to accept the fact that the children of other parents tell lies, but not theirs!

The whole crux of this matter, comes down to the simple truth, that one of the two girls must be lying.

It looks like they should have called this guy in to sort the matter out. His name is Chris Simmons and he “claims” to have a very high success rate when it comes to catching out liars.

He published this book, “An Introduction to Human Chess.”

The full story about the alleged cheating can be read at this link, it has generated quite a large number of comments.

Just recently I read an article which was covering the topic of “Chess-cheating.” The author made the following summary.  He said  that, “Chess-cheating” will not kill chess, BUT the paranoia that “Chess-cheating” generates will kill chess.”

“Paranoia” is a very interesting subject, the first king of Israel had his life ruined by what would be termed as “paranoia” by today`s standards.

King Saul`s “paranoia” was rooted in the sins of DISOBEDIENCE and ENVY, which led to fear, which then led to murderous rage.

Once King Saul heard the crowds singing David`s praises, he was stricken with envy and hatred, he then became obsessed with what David was up to!

Modern “Psychiatry” would classify King Saul as,  “a paranoid schizophrenic.”

His “paranoia” led to his untimely death by suicide during “active service.”

Saul is a very tragic figure, he started of his reign in a good way, but he was disobedient, then he became a schemer and a conniver and because of that, he thought everyone else was a schemer and a conniver!

The words of 1 Samuel 18:9 are some of the most ominous words in the Bible.

1 Samuel 18:6 ¶ And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

PS, By the way, if you play online Chess and can hardly win a game, do not be discouraged, online Chess cheating is widespread.  If you play online Chess and hardly loose a game, then you are cheating!!

In 1990 I commenced study at Bible College. The very first day the Principal of the College announced that they had evidence that cheating had occurred during some of the exams in the previous College year.

They had to have a whole investigation into the matter in order to sort it out.

When you get cheating going on in a Bible College you can be sure it is pretty widespread in all spheres and all levels of society!

Cheating leads to paranoia, and it has certainly led to the ruin of the Free Presbyterian Church!