Injuries are not uncommon in chess.
But during a competition in Moscow, a seven-year-old boy’s finger was broken – by a robot.
– It is, of course, not very good, says Serge Lazarev, head of the Moscow Chess Federation.
Technology development continues to move forward at breakneck speed and chess playing robots are becoming a reality.
But it appears that the robots used at a tournament in Moscow last week have not been properly tested.
Because when a seven-year-old boy reached out to move a piece, the robot responded by grabbing his finger so hard that it broke.
“Be very fast”
The event was filmed and now rewritten around the world.
According to Sergei Lazarev, head of the Moscow Chess Federation, the robot’s attack resulted from “being too fast”.
– The boy made his move and then you need to give the robot time to react, but the boy was too fast and then the robot grabbed him. He broke his finger and that’s not good, of course. Lazarev says manufacturers of these robots may need to think twice, according to The Guardian.
‘never happened before’
And the boy, named Christopher, ranks first among boys nine years old or younger in the Moscow region.
He was able to come back the next day and play, but with a hand covered in plaster.
The Guardian writes that the boy’s parents will be taking legal action and that the Chess Federation is willing to assist in the process.
According to Sergey Smagin, deputy director of the Moscow Chess Federation, the robots had been used on several occasions before without any problems at all, and therefore the boy felt bad luck.
– That’s never happened before. He told RIA Novosti that these bots are safe.