Why Cheating SUCKS and My Theory on Why Cheaters Even Do It
Editor note: I wrote this last November but didn't get around to posting it until now. Thanks for bearing with me on that!
Fall is here, and I'm loving it. This is absolutely my favorite time of year, with the last two days delightfully steeped in gray skies, rainy downpours, and cool temperatures. Not everyone loves the dreary weather, though. Some people can get stressed or depressed, and maybe even resort to cheating. You know, get a quick win and feel better about themselves. I mean, I have a weird brain, but that's where it went.
Back when I was a Game Master for Blizzard Entertainment and a member of the Hacks Team for NCSoft West, we were all about the hard ban hammer. No discussion or education, just a "Dear John" letter from a "noreply" email address. It was so corporatized that it was easy to forget that cheaters are still people. It was all about the pixels we got to smash for a measly $11 per hour. There wasn't any satisfaction in it, other than the ability to brag about how we banned players in the most outrageous ways. That was my copium. Sad, huh?
Joining Chess.com gave me a fresh perspective that aligned with how I prefer to handle cheaters: firmly but with a human touch. We send notification emails that invite direct communication with our Support Team Staff. Our goal is to restore accounts through the appeals process, not to keep them closed. We constantly check ourselves to ensure that our policies and methods are fair to our player base without compromising our integrity or that of chess.
Cheaters do more than just hurt their own reputation; they also rob other players of the chance to compete fairly and enjoy the game to its fullest. Every day, I see firsthand how cheating can leave a sour taste in the mouth of honest players who are committed to following the rules. I read the rage and resentment in the support tickets from players who are fed up with the antics of cheaters. We feel it, too. That's why Chess.com invests in high-quality detection systems and hires experts to catch cheaters. We have a zero-tolerance policy, and there are no exceptions.
At the same time, my colleagues and I regularly witness the aftermath of players dealing with the repercussions of Fair Play violations. It's not a pleasant sight, and it's often quite devastating. I strongly believe that cheating, in any form, is completely unacceptable. Yet, there is a part of me that understands the remorse and sorrow that typically accompanies such actions. It can be tough not to feel emotionally invested when you read a message from someone who has a deep passion for chess, has devoted years of time and energy to their account, and then suddenly loses it all due to a lapse in judgment.
So why even cheat in the first place? Let's look at some real examples of the most common reasons players on Chess.com give for why they cheated at chess:
"I was trying to learn openings and broke the rules."
"I felt bad about my skill and wanted to impress my friends."
"I got really tired of playing black all the time and kept quitting."
"My uncle is an FM and was teaching me to get better."
"Everyone cheats against me so I cheated back!"
"I hate losing all the time to high rated players and I want to win just once."
My theory for the reason is a painful desire for a quick hit of validation from something, however hollow it might be. But cheating is a nasty, two-sided coin that we should just chuck into the void and be done with it. Alas, there's that thing called the human condition, which is fallible and sometimes like to get ahead by any means necessary.
So, what counts as cheating on Chess.com? What follows is my VERY simplified version of our Fair Play Policy and references to our very helpful FAQ Article: What do I need to know about Fair Play on Chess.com? Refer to those two links for a complete understanding of how Fair Play works on our site. For the purposes of this blog post, this summary outlines our general rules without addressing any nuances or exceptions. Remember, if you're unsure if something is allowed, it's better to reach out to us and ask first!
What Counts as Cheating in RATED Games on Chess.com:
- All of your moves must be your own! Receiving any coaching, training, advisement, or help from anyone other than yourself is considered cheating. Even if the person is your teacher, parent, a titled player, or even someone on social media like Discord who helps you with even just one move, that is cheating. It also counts as cheating if someone gets on your account and plays, even without your knowledge. It is YOUR responsibility to keep your account secure with a strong password.
- Your brain is the only tool you should be using! Using outside assistance tools of any kind is not allowed. Examples include browser plugins, engines, bots, analyzers, videos (Youtube, etc.), tablebases, books, personal notes, or competitors' websites to play alongside your game. If you're unsure, don't take the risk and use it anyway. It's better to reach out to us and ask FIRST. We cannot make exceptions for players who didn't realize something wasn't allowed.
- No shortcuts, manipulation, or interference! This includes performing any automated analysis or “blunder checking” of your games in progress, artificially manipulating ratings (i.e., sandbagging and multi-accounting) or matches or game outcomes, and interfering with game outcomes in any way.
In conclusion, cheating is a problem that plagues many online gaming communities, and Chess.com is no exception. While it's easy to see cheaters as mere pixels to be banned and forgotten, it's important to remember that they're human beings who often face consequences that are much more significant than losing their accounts.
At Chess.com, we believe in treating cheaters with compassion and giving them a chance to make things right through our appeals process. We also invest heavily in detection systems and hire experts to catch cheaters and keep our beloved playground clean.
Ultimately, the cost of cheating goes beyond losing an account. It means losing respect, credibility, and genuine opportunities to win. So instead of cheating, I encourage our players to put in the time and effort to improve their skills and enjoy the game for what it is: a challenging and rewarding intellectual pursuit.
As we continue to work towards fair play on our platform, I hope that this blog post will help change the minds of potential cheaters by understanding the motivation behind their actions and the impact of their behavior. I believe that with patience, education, and a human touch, we can make our online chess community a fair and enjoyable place for everyone!
Well, that about wraps up my blog for this week...month? Not sure. But THANK YOU for your amazing patience, both on awaiting my post and for the hellaciously big queue that our entire Support Team is tackling with all our might. Just hang in there with us a little longer, and we'll ensure your chess needs are taken care of! Thanks again for being so awesome!
I want to hear from you if there's something I missed here or if you have a question you'd like me to answer in my blog! You can write to me with your requests for help any time at support@chess.com
Until next time, this is Greta signing off. Remember: Be excellent to each other, make brilliant moves, and stay awesome! 💜
