I have a question.

I have read some stuff on the forums here about people cheating, being banned, etc.

What I am wondering is, how exactly does one cheat at chess?  Or is it more along the lines of multiple accounts, playing against oneself to improve ratings, win matches, etc?

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Sharpie

Having multiple accounts is not allowed here apparently. If someone is suspected of cheating, the staff takes that person's most recent games and runs them through a computer to check what percentage of the moves the person made matches those that the computer would make. Percentages that are high is strongly indicative that one is using a computer program to cheat.

there are the two basic ways to cheat at chess and then everything branches off.

1. Any unauthorized help (is cheating).
2. Having multiple accounts and using them in a cheating way.

Gotcha.  Thanks for the info.  I guess I am just too new and didn't quite get it.