Top Tips to Deal With Cheaters

If you've played online chess for any length of time, you may feel you've come across a cheater or been accused of being one yourself. 

If you are genuinely concerned you've been cheated here are my fool-proof suggestions. 

1) Check their accuracy in the game analysis. 

If they have 100% accuracy, you may have been cheated. Anything less than 98-99% accuracy from your opponent probably isn't a cheater. 

2) Check your own accuracy.

If you have less than 80% accuracy it becomes increasingly easier for their accuracy to skyrocket so you're probably not playing against a cheater. 

3) Report them

If you've gone through all of their games and every single one is 98% accuracy or higher regardless of their opponents accuracy, report them and forget about them. 

Chess.com staff constantly monitors accounts and if they consistently make moves only software would make, they will remove the account. 

4) Worry about your own game. 

Worrying about cheaters is an extra element that can distract you from expert play. Only worry about your game because it's the only thing you can control. 

5) What to do if you still think they're cheating. 

Let go of your ego you donut. People can beat you and will beat you. Welcome to chess. 

What to do if someone accuses you of cheating. 

1) Don't cheat

It's really that simple

2) If they still accuse you of cheating

Take it as a compliment or boldly try to improve their outlook and guide them towards enlightenment. 

3) What if steps one and two aren't working? 

If it really bothers you, turn off the chat feature at least temporarily. But also know that what they're saying doesn't reflect reality but how they are feeling in the moment. 

How do you handle these situations? Please share in the comments below!