I mean, everyone else was using them too, how can you not? That was the name of the game if you wanted to be competitive in 2024. Not using them would be like trying to do competitive pro cycling without steroids, basically impossible.

Saying everyone else is cheating is not a valid excuse for cheating. It's why aatrong became a pariah, even though he and everyone else was EPO doping.

Gotta love the classic "everyone else is cheating too"

It’s more like playing a casual tournament at your local chess club without an engine.

i felt like that 2-3 months ago, at the east new zealand chess games, when i forgot my anal beads.