@MisterpatzerYou are incorrect.
Chess.com does an extremely poor job of it. Understaffed, under trained to deal with all the riff-raff and new daily sign-ups from facebook. Not to mention how easy it is to have multiple, concurrent accounts. Often you'll see players given a slap on the wrist, 2nd and 3rd chances. Banning members afterall, will cut into their advertising motto of how many members they boast. It is rare to see someone get banned for fair play abuse and it only occurs long after most everybody is aware. After CC finally deletes an account, they simply come back with new names. Lichess flags players, they get placed in their own pool. Read up about all the information that is gathered, stored and referenced here by detection programs from every game played. The computing power and storage far exceeds that of chess.coms weak detection program. Their staff will openly speak of what are their main priorities are , where the $ is spent. Moderation and cheat detection is not near the top of the list. This was messaged to me by staff on several occasions in my time spent there.
Its definitely a problem.
I'm less bothered by engine users; as they are (IMO) rather easy to detect & avoid. What really bothers me is the time manipulators. People who can (through whatever method) increase their time. Most often seen through pinging or simple freezes of time. Clock reads 0 seconds they move it now says 3; over and over again (no not increment games)
Or the people who, again through whatever method, can cause you to DC; and immediately claim the win through 'player has left the game'
That kind of crap is just above and beyond, and can truly ruin your mood for even playing another game.
Ratings are he main culprit for this. Without ratings; I dont see what purpose cheating would serve; other than just simply to annoy your opponent. And, while there are trolls like that out there, raing whores are the most frequent users of 'extra help'
But, eliminating ratings would present its own slue of problems; some of which would be worse than cheating.
So, its a lose lose scenario.
And to those speaking of IRL chess....cheating happens there too.
Gaioz Nigalidze (supposed GM) got caught a few years back with a hidden phone in the bathroom.
TBH The entire FIDE rating system and using ones ELO to determine potential for chess cheating is ...not really that helpful; as far as online chess goes.
One can simply cheat from the start of the creation of a account; consistently throwing out a massive ELO and keeping a consistent Z Score.
Without variation one can look 'legitimate' and can bypass this system. At least; in my mind it would be logically easy.
Again, not sure if there is any way around this though; or if a better method would even be possible.
Personally, I dont think any person who has not been seen in a IRL chess tournament should be able to make any 'TOP LIST' or be granted the rank of GM or LM.
Perhaps some of the Top Tier players here are actually known people; and if they are, bully for them. But, some of them certainly arent. And without IRL games to compare there online games to; I tend to think....not legit. Otherwise, they'd be at these tournies and putting their name out there. Thats simple logic.
I agree in an ideal setting it would be nice to eliminate ratings. We are amateur players, hobbyists. However, they do serve a legitimate purpose for finding a suitable, equal match.
as to whether or not eliminating ratings would reduce cheating is speculation. Sure, to some extent but how much no one can say. As to the other point, most all of the top established ratings are legitimate. A few might creep in but are rather quickly weeded out. I can understand someone wanting anonymity, it is the internet. Players that play for prizes at other sites, if they win, must be accountable as to their identity. You won't find tournies here for $ and never will. The top players compromise 1-2 % of the players and total games played. They come under as much if not more scrutiny than the average players.
I think many would be greatly surprised to find many players can play very strong games who have never registered with FIDE or USCF or played in OTB tournaments. I used to think the odds were very slim. But I have 1st hand encountered many strong players who for one reason or another, stopped playing, had other interests, but can sit down and give masters an honest game. The internet is a great tool for those who live in rural areas who do not have access to the big city clubs.
@mdinnerspace "You won't find tournies here for $ and never will. "
Not lichess sponsored, but they are on here. How often, I dont know. But definitely they do have real $$$ tournaments.
Heres one:
lichess.org/tournament/JBFIv9sW"The top players compromise 1-2 % of the players and total games played. They come under as much if not more scrutiny than the average players. "
Agreed, not disputing that; or really anything else you said.
Agree with breakreign.
I too am not overly bothered, in fact it's no sweat off my back if I play someone who uses an engine. I've learned it's to be expected, but quite a bit less than the "paranoia" that's been created. I really believe the phenomenon will subside in the short future as players become educated. Players that enjoy the game will stay using their natural skills and find their niche. Players that play for ratings, who will cheat to get a higher rating, will come and go. I think we are in a transition period regarding the issue, much like the "Fischer" craze which popularized chess in the West. It passes.
I actually really dislike the marking of cheats. I would rather they were removed off the site completely but I understand most would just make a new account. Sometimes I like to play a casual game. But whenever I do it usually pairs me with someone who is marked for engine assistance so what's the point. You should have the option whether or not you want to play cheats in casual games.
@breakreign #12
You can't cheat with any 'clock manipulation', what you're seeing is either your opponent premoving and/or lag.
Your opponent also can't cause you to disconnect... geezus man you serious when you said that or are you a complete noob to online chess?
Lichess isn't dying, you're just seeing the natural progression of any game online... more and more cheaters. (Not exactly multiplying, but enough over the weeks, months, years to notice.) First you get those that know how, then you get escalation, the bigger the website the more cheaters you have, etc.
@CafeMorphy: while the chances of running across a joker that can manipulate the clocks or make you disconnect are amazingly small, it can happen. In the case of getting disco'd I'd point to fps gaming, where some of my teammates would get disconnected by malicious players. Whether actual 'crackers' or 'script-kiddies' it does indeed happen.
@CafemorphyI'm sending you a PM. Not gonna risk spreading the use.
But, sufficient enough to say; its a fact. And its possibly the most widely used cheat both here and other sites. FoD is notoriously bad.
Sacré bleu!!