I played an online game on the Free Internet Chess Server today, against some "1700 rated" player. First of all I was amused that he new the  opening real well for his rating (it was D46 QGD/Semi Slav), but later, after he start dominating all over the board I figured he was running a software against me. He won the game, he got many of my points added to his... but what did he accomplish? Nothing. He did not learn to play chess any better by simply copying program's moves he did not even raise his self-esteem after such a game. The question is, if it's so pointless WHY DO PEOPLE STILL CHEAT IN ONLINE CHESS???  

To feel as if their usefull at something, while really just deluding themselves so they don't have to look at the reality of the issue.

Yes, such people aren't brave enough to play us, good honest players, without a prog.

did he play a prefect game? or at least one based on postion, not material...

I would suggest that many cheaters don't think of themselves as cheating... or that they are some how learning something from their actions that in reality turn their minds to mush while playing chess.

 

What I really wonder though is if these people realise that computers don't do anything that people can't do (they just do it faster)...

My favourite thing about correspondence chess is using the analysis board after each move... working through what I think my opponents moves will be in response to my moves until the game finally reaches a point that it just sort of unlocks in my mind and it seems like my opponent no longer has any choices.  Of course I always assume I've overlooked something at this point and start thinking it through all over again...  next thing I know I'm late for work... HA

 

it is self defence...    weaker people use tools like cheating, being cruel, and other underhanded deeds to compensate for qualities desired that they feel they lack... in the case of cheating,  they have no skill, and so in circumstances where they are likely to lose, cheating defends them against any possibility of the opponent winning and gloating...   it is to keep from feeling shame, most likely becuase a parent drives them to win too much, instead of focusing on their growth as individuals...

Why do we think that chess would be different to any other thing that humans engage in?

Any sport you care to name, the players will often infringe the rules (cheat!) if they think that it may give them some benefit leading to a win.

In life, there are people who resort to illegal activities everyday, this is cheating too.

Yet we somehow expect that chess is sacrosanct and above all this. Sorry, not so.

My own suggestion, there is only one person you can be sure of adhering to your principles, be grateful that you got to test yourself against a 2600 pseudo-GM, take what lessons you can from the game and look forward to playing them OTB when it will be more difficult for them to infringe on the rules of the game.

Even OTB play has some dubious characters who will endeavour to gain the win by unfair means, but hopefully competent arbiters will ensure that they pay the penalty for these infringements. 

Even I've encountered such a person recently/ Now, Im not a total noob at chess and i flatter myself being a medium player as of yet. But even I'm capable to surmise from the time gap between  each, I mean each and every move and the logic behind the moves that a Chess software was being used against me. I inquired so, and his reply was "im not using help" ... I strongly believe otherwise.

 

Now we ask, why do they cheat? The fellow had a losing streak and a bad one at that. In order to even the gap obviously. Some spoilsports. - we cant even compare an athlete using steroids to this. Its more like having a rocket race against humans. Pardon the allusion. But thats what is a computer against normal players like me sound like

I smell link spam here (chessworld?)  Plus, you have no idea if your opponent was cheating or not.  Maybe he is actually a skilled player?

there are alternative explanations to low rated players acheiving wins vastly beyond their aparent level of skill,        one is that perhaps they are not the only ones who use that username..   although i think that letting someone else play in your name might still be considered cheating...  but you would still be playing against one person in a perfectly legal manner...   

 

its best not to worry, complain, or devote any amount of time talking about the subject... it is one of the uncountable curruptions of mankind, universal to the tables of time and subject, and its impossible to do anything about it, so lets not waist the limited time and energy we are given in life on such a meaningless concern...

Yeah, he's just advertising his website in a topic he knows a lot of people are going to look at due to it being an 'emotional' one. 

To De-lar, Got-Goose, mowque: No, of course if somebody beats me it does not mean he cheats. But when I take a look at my game afterwards with 6 different engines in Arena GUI and I find out that 34 (!!) out of 41 moves of his were made by the very first line of CRAFTY which is 2700 + rated with like 20 sec. per move it looks very suspicious. Computer, does not play perfect chess, mowque, that is why it is easy to spot a cheater. Computer plays specific very strong line. How could a human play exactly the same sequence of moves?? The answer is he can't (with no cheating of course). It's like reading  somebody else's mind. We can't do that. The only chess player I know of that is capable of reproducing 39 out of 43 (or so) moves from Rybka's first line is V. Topalov at the St. Luis 2005 (he was later accused at cheating). I will not comment on that one..

 

 

tbierig, you could be right. I for one agree 

To: tbierig, Goose.. you should be happy now.

GotGoose wrote: I smell link spam here (chessworld?)  Plus, you have no idea if your opponent was cheating or not.  Maybe he is actually a skilled player?

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 Well, if you have no idea you never played against a computer...

Haha look he's removed the link from his post now that he's been called out on it

tbierig wrote: Haha look he's removed the link from his post now that he's been called out on it

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You have a personal problem with that or just trying to get more members points PROTECTING cheaters?

On many levels, it is very sad that anyone would cheat at chess. First of all, they are doing a great disservice to the honest opponent.  The person who cheats at chess is robbing the honest opponent of his/her time, which of course is a valuable commodity indeed.  It is also sad because they are gaining nothing when it comes to learning the game.  I love the feeling that I have consistently improved at this challenging game even though I lose many many games and continue to commit absurd blunders.  It's all about doing the right thing.  I will never understand what possible happiness anyone could get out of cheating at such a beautiful game.  sad.

Why do people put chess URL's in their profile location? There are many unanswerable questions out there. Strong play doesn't constitute cheating. You yourself seem to know exactly what opening you were playing, why can't your opponent?

What was the ratio of positive computer hits on your moves? BTW, for all the people that freak out about cheaters..... PLAY UNRATED GAMES. People that are so emotionally sensitive about losing points that show your virtual chess skill should not play chess. It doesn't seem like people are so much worried about others cheating, it's about their precious rating dropping. Here's a little tidbit of information... nobody cares about your chess rating...nobody. Ratings are a dubious numbers that have little relevence.