Is this top 100 player cheating?? FM Vladimir Afromeev
Interesting, I agree. Just a pointer: I think the ending "eev" is pronounced with two syllables, so it'd be AFF-roh-May-ev, unless I'm mistaken.
"Let the professionals (chess.com staff) handle this one."
I don't think the chess.com staff have any say as to what goes on in FIDE events
No. He is not.
Think of it this way, is someone who puts their earnings into low tax vehicles cheating? No, they are not. They are using the existing rules creatively to advance their own personal position. Some people may not like what he's doing, because he isn't as good a chess player as his rating indicates, but that's not his fault. He is just a smart businessman.
"Let the professionals (chess.com staff) handle this one."
I don't think the chess.com staff have any say as to what goes on in FIDE events
You're right. I originally assumed he meant top 100 on chess.com.
Considering he has only played two rated tournament games since October of 2007, and instead has concentrated on his career as an international arbiter and trainer, I think it’s safe to say he isn’t cheating. And for the record, he hasn’t been rated 2646 since 2018, when those last two tournament games were played. His rating is 2633, which places him slightly outside the top 100. Was he gaming the system to get rating points? Maybe. Wouldn’t be the first to do that, won’t be the last.
A person can cheat without using an engine. Here’s an article from my fb friend GM Alexander Baburin on the topic:
https://chessdailynews.com/a-story-worth-reading-by-gm-baburin-of-chess-today/