Robots that are programmed to play chess do so by moving the pieces using electromagnetic force. They are also capable of playing against a human opponent in real-time. However, a video posted by the Baza Telegram channel depicts an incident that exemplifies the risks that can come with interactions involving robots. The incident, which took place on July 19, shows a robot reaching out to break a seven-year-old’s finger during a game of chess between them.

Vice-president of the Russian Chess Federation Sergey Smagin stated that the incident was caused due to the boy’s rapid countermoves. 

“There are certain safety rules and the child, apparently, violated them. When he made his move, he did not realise he first had to wait,” Smagin claimed.

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He also reported that the encounter was “a coincidence” and that the robot was “absolutely safe”.

The video shows Christopher, one of the top 30 Russian chess players in the under-nine category attacked by the robot when it grabs his finger. Four individuals abruptly enter the frame and free the boy’s finger, leading him away from the robot.

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However, Sergey Lazarev, president of the Moscow Chess Federation, said that the child had “made a move, and after that he needed to give time for the robot to answer, but the boy hurried and the robot grabbed him”. 

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Lazarev also revealed that Christopher did not seem very affected by the ordeal, and had his finger put in a plaster cast. “The child played the very next day, finished the tournament, and volunteers helped to record the moves,” he said.

Christopher’s parents are reported to have contacted the public prosecutor’s office, who stated, “We will communicate, figure it out and try to help in any way we can.”