Modern chess matches like this require a huge amount of preparation. Computers are much better than even the best humans at chess, and they are (in the last decade or so) the number one tool for grandmasters when preparing. Each GM has a support team, which at this level includes HPC compute specialists. This match includes two players that over a year, beyond rigorous practice, include in-depth computer analysis of an exponential time problem (more possible chess positions than atoms in universe, etc).
Beyond that, the top 20 in the world are downright geniuses, locked in a fierce mental competition. Not directly hacker related, but there is an overlap in interest base.
Beyond that, the top 20 in the world are downright geniuses, locked in a fierce mental competition. Not directly hacker related, but there is an overlap in interest base.