Chess.Com getting sued.

[JustinHorton]

Oh that's interesting. I think the policy has changed since then though.

[Roger de Coverly]

I think the policy has changed since then though.

There was a titled player plausibly accused of OTB cheating (consulting a phone whilst away from the board). He was at the time one of the top Blitz or Bullet players on the chess.com server. He escaped OTB sanctions on a technicality.

A different policy for titled players perhaps?

[Tim Spanton]

I remember at the World Open in Philadelphia when a titled player - I cannot recall his name - was caught consulting an openings book at the bookstall during the early stages of his game against a much weaker opponent. He was given a time penalty of, I think, 20 minutes (and went on to win).
I can think of many occasions when a 20-minute penalty would have been a small price to pay for looking up a line in the latest relevant publication.

https://beauchess.blogspot.com/

[NickFaulks]

I remember at the World Open in Philadelphia

Roughly how long ago?

[Alex Holowczak]

I remember at the World Open in Philadelphia

Roughly how long ago?

I remember the more innocent times of 2011, when the bookstall at the British Championships was situated behind a curtain in the playing area.

[Tim Spanton]

I remember at the World Open in Philadelphia

Roughly how long ago?

Cannot recall exactly, but it would have been 1993, 1994, 1995 or 1999. If I had to guess, I would say 1999 or 1995.

[Paul McKeown]

On reading Justin's distressing news, I joined the forum at chess.com. Sort of what you might expect, lots of people accusing others, with the veneer that one must not name anyone. Some of it does look like cheating, but I was struck by the following correspondence game, both players over 2200, which is used as a test of one's ability to detect engine play:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Nf3 f5 8. Nc3 a6 9. g3 b5 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O O-O 12. Ne5 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 b4 14. Qf3 bxc3 15. Qxa8 Qxd4 16. Nd3 cxb2 17. Rab1 Ba3 18. Qb7 Qc4 19. Qb3 Qe4+ 20. f3 1-0

On the basis of this game, White was apparently banned for cheating.

Well, call me daft if you will, but that just looks ridiculous. Both players play a bunch of book moves, then there's a bit of a stramash, nothing unheard of on say the lower boards of the London League, then Black blunders a piece in a very short game.

Can anyone point out the cheating, here?

[Gavin Hughes]

The funny thing is, because of cheating online this is intrinsically killing online chess and correspondence. Computers have become so strong people are put off from playing them. So people return to playing in clubs and congresses as it is perceived as an environment with the least amount of cheating. 20-30 years ago people bemoaned computers (in general) as the death of clubs and the 4NCL for attracting strong players away from county/club chess (apologies for lack of evidence). Looks like congress and club chess is picking up again.

[Roger Lancaster]

Well, call me daft if you will

I'm afraid the temptation is completely resistible as I entirely agree with you. Something's daft here but it's not you!

[Daniel Gormally]

Wasn't somebody thinking of suing them for allegedly copying the puzzle rush idea from his site? Michael Mkpadi I believe.

[Jon Tait]

The funny thing is, because of cheating online this is intrinsically killing online chess and correspondence. Computers have become so strong people are put off from playing them. So people return to playing in clubs and congresses as it is perceived as an environment with the least amount of cheating. 20-30 years ago people bemoaned computers (in general) as the death of clubs and the 4NCL for attracting strong players away from county/club chess (apologies for lack of evidence). Looks like congress and club chess is picking up again.

Using computers isn't cheating in correspondence chess.

[JustinHorton]

I have now been reinstated at chess.com and have received an apology.

[NickFaulks]

I have now been reinstated at chess.com and have received an apology.

Well done!

[Matt Mackenzie]

I have now been reinstated at chess.com and have received an apology.

Excellent news

[Paul Cooksey]

I'm disappointed, had assumed Plaskett and Woffindens book Bad Game 2 would be with us imminently