already 8 points. i need 1more point to go to the next round.

Yes! I am now unassailable in my group!

Good luck to everyone moving on to round 2.

[COMMENT DELETED]

@HumbleTafari: I don't understand why you succumbed to that request to withdraw, though. You weren't cheating, right? So who made this request, and why would you give in?

Both cheating and accusations of cheating are rampant on this site, especially in tournaments. The nature of online play invites it. If I join a tournament, I accept that in at least some cases, I will probably be playing against someone's computer... but I don't let that affect my game. That doesn't mean that I think chess.com should ignore the problem.

Several solutions come to mind, and I have proposed some ideas to chess.com.

1. 50 game minimum to enter a tournament. This requirement should be the default for all official chess.com tourneys, but individual directors should be free to set that minimum at whatever value they wish.
2. If players are repeatedly accused of cheating, an automated tool could be developed that compares that players last 100 games or so to the most popular chess engines. The process would ignore forced moves and focus on positions with many candidate moves. If that player's choices in such positions matches any one engine in at least 98% of cases, that player is likely using that particular engine. (This wouldn't catch the occasional situational cheaters, but would eliminate the most egregious offenders.)
3. If cheating is found, an immediate suspension of that account, plus any others logging from the same IPs and the same pattern of times. In this age of dynamic IPs, it shouldn't be hard to determine which accounts are sockpuppets, since when the IP is reassigned, ALL accounts from that player would change to the new IP. Over the course of a hundred games, this pattern would be unmistakeable.

All that said, I try not to let cheaters ruin my enjoyment of the game. I play to learn, and to that end, it is beneficial to play against opponents who are stronger than me, be they man or machine.

Is there some sort of cash prize for winning?  I ask because what incentive do people have for cheating?  I laugh at the thought.  Are some people so pathetic and sad that they need to cheat in order to get some sort of ego boost?  I don't get it.  To win by cheating is merely an admission that a person doesn't have the ability to win.  Sad. But funny all the same.

What he cheated though??

Glad to see that some of the players understand where I'm coming from and keep the good work chess.com there is more cheating and tampering going on then you can imagine, I have complained about this and haven't gotten a response directly, however, maybe now a closer look will be taken. In the blink of an eye you go from a sure fire win to scratching your head wondering what has happened on the board? Please look into the complaints I've launched concerning this matter, my ratings will certainly go up!

Yay chess.com staff! :D

http://www.chess.com/echess/profile/Romka2

ACCOUNT CLOSED FOR CHEATING

This member's account was closed because they were found to be cheating. Chess.com does not tolerate any kind of cheating including: multiple accounts, unfair computer assistance, outside help on games, etc. If you are not sure about the rules, please read the site rules here!

I'm guessing they just group them according to their rating after first round is over, so each group has an average total ranking.

So how does the second round work?  Do the winners from each different group play each other randomly, or do your individual points in your section matter?  For example: say I will end up with 7.5 points in group 103.  Do I have the same likliehood of playing a person who scored 10 points as someone with 9 points does?

Well, Sebs42, there are a couple of trophies that let the other person know that you didn't like their play.  One says "Chess Overdose" and states in its description "Oh no! You have been playing chess so much you are actually getting sick from it!"

 I like sending that one if someone looks like they just aren't playing fair.

Depends on how and why I lose, MrSid :)

I don't understand what this individual might gain from beating a bunch of people who aren't really in his/her league, so to speak.  I mean, they're probably bored.  Anyway, I think the best practice is to mind your own games--some things can't be helped, at least not at this point.

Good idea,maybe I will do also!

Whenever I lose, I always give a trophy.  I find this good pratice.  It shows good sportsmanship.  Who's with me?

@KWash01.  I think that the majority of players (and people in general) understand good sportsmanship and fair play and are actually trying to have fun and not win at all costs.  It is just a select few that make it seem like everyone is a bad sport.  Don't lose faith.  People are basically good but it does get spoiled by one or two bad apples.  Hey...bad apples...get a life.

@sebs42: Did you take a look at his profile? This guy has played 55 games, all wins, no loses, no draws. This doesn't look natural. I bet this account was created with the purpose of winning this tournament. And don't get me wrong, I don't think this takes the fun out of chess! I just think this makes tournaments like this less exciting to be in.

Also, to answer your question: I don't want him to do anything. I just wish this tournaments would require at least 50 games before registering. This way your rate would be more stable and competition would be fair. Otherwise, what is the purpose of having several torunaments by rate or to have rates at all?

I am just overwhelmed with the behavior of alot of the so called higher ranked players. They are terrible losers and will do anything to conjure up a victory! Im gonna keep doing me and try to develop my game into something special. I love the game of Kings and when I defeat the overzealous high rated ************* that I beat on regular basis I feel vindication for all the little people! the ones who just love to play.....

He was below 1600 when we started. What do you want him to do? Lose on purpose to keep his ratings down?

Something is not right with preconditions to join this tournament. Check out this player http://www.chess.com/echess/profile/Romka2. I'm not saying he's a cheater or anything but do you honestly think he belongs in the 1400-1600 tournament?