Are You Playing Against a Chess Cheat
This post was originally written by Daniel Schipper
One of the worst feelings in chess is when you think you might be playing against more than just your opponent. Cheating is a problem in any competitive sport or game, and chess is no exception. Now that computers can fit in your hand, or even smaller, the use of chess engines in order to cheat is at an all-time high. But what exactly is a chess cheat? What should you do if you spot one, and how should we be careful not to make false accusations?
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What is a Chess Cheat?
A chess cheat is anyone who takes outside help when deciding upon a move in chess. This could mean a beginner cheating and using a chess engine online, or it could mean a grandmaster simply receiving insight from an outside source as to whether or not they are in a winning position. Either way, grandmaster or beginner, if you receive any kind of outside help during your chess game, that is a problem. So, if you are a parent of a new chess player, be sure not to help them during official chess tournaments. Even a nod or a smile could give them information their opponent cannot have.
How do you Identify Chess Cheats?
These days, chess cheats are usually assisted by an engine. What is a chess engine? A chess engine is a computer program that can quickly run hundreds and hundreds of calculations to quickly find the best move in any given position. Obviously, if a computer tells you the best move to play, that would be cheating! But how do you know if your opponent is cheating?
Signs Chess Players are Cheating Online
Firstly, it is not possible to know for sure your opponent is cheating in the moment while you are playing them. We will discuss how that should affect our psyche while playing later, but for now, we can mention a few of the signs that lead people to believe their opponent is cheating.
1. They Keep Playing Perfect Moves.
If you look back at your game and notice that your opponent only played top engine moves, this could be a sign that they had assistance. Obviously, humans are capable of playing good moves, so this is only one sign of cheating, and by no means is it a foolproof sign.
2. Time Usage.
This is a huge one. If your opponent is consistently using the exact same amount of time, no matter the difficulty of the move, that can be a sign they are cheating. Especially when paired with number one. Recaptures are a clear sign here; if there is an obvious recapture that your opponent stalls on, they may be waiting to see what their engine says.
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3. Sudden Changes in the Skill of the Player.
If your opponent starts the game with some huge blunders, but then seems to play a near-perfect game, that can be a sign of cheating. Cheaters will use this method to avoid detection. Their accuracy scores are not as high, so they are not detected by the automated cheat detection. At least, not as quickly
4. Suspicious Moves or Incredible Finds
Your opponent might be having the game of their life, but one sign they might be cheating are moves that we might call “inhuman.” These are moves that an average player would just not play, but happen to be high up on the engine recommendation.
5. A Consistent Use of Second, Third, or Even Fourth Best Moves.
One strategy cheaters use is to avoid playing the best engine recommendation while still playing a move highly recommended by the engine. Again, this helps them avoid detection, but it can be spotted with analysis.
What to Do If You Think Your Opponent Is Cheating
First, even if your opponent exhibits all five signs of cheating I mentioned, you cannot be certain they are cheating. Because of that, in no scenario should you make accusations of your opponent directly or indirectly. Recently, we have seen the harm that false accusations can cause to chess players, and they do not belong in the game. So, what can you do?
Report Cheaters
Our only real recourse, besides blocking the opponent so you do not have to play them again, is to report them on whatever platform you are using. Both chess.com and Lichess.org have resources on how to do this. Here is chess.com’s page on how to report, as well as the Lichess page telling you how. The Lichess page puts it well, “On Lichess we want all people to be respectful to each other and to play fair.” And that is the goal of reporting anyone who seems to be cheating. If you suspect your opponent of cheating, report them and let the cheat detection programs do their work.
OTB Cheating in Chess Tournaments
Cheating can happen at real-life tournaments as well as online. In my experience being a Tournament Director, most people who “cheat” over the board, are not doing so on purpose, and simply don’t understand the rules or what they are not allowed to do. Here are a few examples, some more obvious than others.
- Do not use any electronic device during your chess game.
- Do not talk to other chess players during your game.
- Do not write notes to yourself on your score sheet.
- Do not make noise or distract your opponent, including speaking to them unless you are offering a draw or resigning.
Signs Your OTB Opponent Might be Using an Engine
Over the board, it is more difficult to notice someone using a chess engine, because they would have to be doing it out of sight. There have been multiple instances of individuals, even grandmasters, being caught using devices such as smartphones in the bathroom to gain an advantage. This is obviously cheating. If you notice your opponent doing anything suspicious, such as taking extra time or making frequent restroom trips, that may indicate possible cheating. However, you should not confront your opponent. Still, the most likely reason is an upset stomach, not that they are cheating. But you should let your TD know if you have any suspicions at all. With any of these ways your opponent might be cheating, it is important that you not confront or yell at your opponent, and instead, you can pause the clock, call over a TD, or go find a TD to discuss any worries you may have.
Cheating Scandals in Chess
There have been many cheating scandals in the chess world, but equally destructive has been the paranoia that the cheating has brought about. Whether it is Magnus Carlsen himself being suspicious of Hans Niemann, or a player being caught using a phone while in the bathroom, cheating is a real problem in chess, and should be taken seriously. Even after everything it takes to become a grandmaster, some will still throw it all away by cheating. Most larger tournaments have implemented strategies to discourage and stop cheating, but the best way forward is for your average player to just be aware of any suspicious behavior and report it to a tournament director.