I'm shocked and dismayed at some of the players that have been banned. I've had extensive conversations with Alekhine58 and our own efc789 and I know these guys to be truly strong players and not cheaters. I have two games currently going - I'm planning on finishing those and leaving chess.com.  I applaud their efforts to root out cheating, but come on ...

I think chess.com owes everyone an explanation what happened. To be fair we should all wait for that before we leave.I'm a fan of efc and hope its not true. 

I am not leaving...cannot find Alekhine58, but efc789 had the following ratings:

Turn-based: 2600+

Live Chess: 1735

A 900 point difference, with the upper end being a professional level?

I am not saying that this alone is evidence of computer analysis during correspondence play, but it would CERTAINLY warrant investigation!

Jimmy, both Ed (efc789) and James (Alekhine58) had master ratings when they were playing over-the-board. Okay, it's been years since either of them played in a tournament, but once you have a master level understanding of chess, you don't lose that. Now, there are players (like CoachTom who was banned from Kentucky) who had *current* ratings of 1700 and then suddenly sprouted 2500+ ratings on chess.com, those guys are highly suspicious, in my opinion. The old rule of thumb was that you generally play one class above your over-the-board rating in correspondence chess. My peak over-the-board rating was 2046 (over 20 years ago!), so my rating of 2355 here, is a bit high, but not unreasonable. In general, however, I think the ratings on chess.com, are a bit inflated.

And, I'm no computer expert, but if you look at Alekhine58's games, they show a very consistent, non-computer type of style. He often obtained a small advantage and just continued to milk it until it grew. No shocking tactics, just very strong, sound strategic chess. Efc was more tactical, but he also was very good at milking small advantages.

And maybe this is totally unrelated, but both efc and I were both dropped/banned from the 'Christian World' chess team with no explanation. When I tried to write to the super admin, AwardChess, I found that I was blocked from sending him messages. I tried contacting one of the other admins and was ignored. As far as I know, I did nothing to warrant banning and I just wanted an explanation, nothing more.

It just seems to me that chess.com and their admins are a bit heavy-handed and do things without offering any explanation or transparency.

They've lost my support.

Sorry for the soap box guys/gals.

Fair enough! Why don't oyu send this along to admins and ask for an explanation?

I'm not sure which admin I would contact. Like I said, I'm already blocked from contacting AwardChess, who is a super-admin. Just that one simple act (blocking someone from contacting you) tells you a lot already, in my opinion. They obviously feel they don't owe any one an explanation of anything they do.

I talked to Mm40 who is the administrator of the northeast. He told me he heard a month a go this was going to happen and 1000 members were banned at one time. Ask him. I agree we are owed an explanation. I dont want you to leave mistergort we have a good team here.

Thanks skattalsma, I appreciate that. It's just that they've taken the fun out of it for me. I've been playing well and only seemed to be having problems against the 2400+ guys. But, if I continue to win, do I have to worry about being accused of cheating? It's no fun having that hang over you.

Okay, I've said enough - I'm sure you're all tired of my whining 

I am not sure if WE are owed an explanation, but certainly any paying members who were banned are owed one. Have you communicated offline with these guys?