How to Report Suspected Cheating

It is annoying to have played against a person who has the help of a computer...

And there are some indicators of such, like back on [edit] another site [/edit], when I was playing this one match, my opponent made this absolutely bizzare move, and then another, and so on. And after I had effectively lost that match, I asked him afterwards if he could explain the moves he made in his game - naturally, he could not. And then he never spoke another word to me.

And this guy wasn't that good either (he had just prior to my match with him, lost to a much lower ranked opponent).

And I had watched some of his games before, too; so how he went from average to incredible seemed somewhat... odd.

Eventually, he was asked about it from other people. He then, abruptly resigned all 15 or so of his active games (even the ones he was winning in), and left the site.

Odd...

So, that is one way of identifying a cheater; being unable to explain the moves they made, as well as becoming incredibly talented within a 24-hour timespan.

And then there are the fools with multiple accounts that just play against themselves - it is the same kind of stupid, just in a different wrapper.

www.facebook.com  it has a chess application you can use, not as good as the one here. 

My point or question is... Is Facebook chess a correspondence forum where players can use any means they like to win a game? If this is so then those players who are using computers and opening books should declare so and play in their own league. Their personal ratings are meaningless as they do not really play but rather they help a computer to play.

nice work Erik!catch them all!and give rigorous punishment!

If someone already brought this up, I humbly apologize, but there are two ways you can pretty easily "check up" on suspected cheating without shouting their name from the rooftops or putting Erik or anyone else to needless work.  Ask them if they would be willing to help you understand the mistakes you made during the game or give them one or two moves you know on reflection were sub-par and then ask them for better moves and why.  If they are just good players, then you learn something and if they are cheaters you learn something.  The other way applies mostly to those new to chess or who don't consider themselves advanced.  Ask a higher rated member you know or who seems to have a good reputation on the site to take a look at the game and give you their impressions.  Again, if there's no cheating you will learn a lot and if there is you can take the appropriate action.  So far in my month here I have seen a forum posting or two where someone puts up a game, alleges cheating and it is pretty apparent to me they just made some really bad moves and the other guy made some really good ones. 

      I have been accused of using a computer but I never do. I don't have one.

I once trapped a Master's Queen in a tournament game and have beaten some highly rated players. But all too often I play like a duffer. I play for the complete enjoyment of the game.  Using outside assistance belies the whole purpose of  playing in my opinion. A win under those circumstances is not a win and the people who do that know it in their heart of hearts. I for one just could not be bothered.  The falseness of such conduct can only be injurious to your self esteem. 

       I once defeated a player in a tournament using the classic  d5 Knight sacrifice in the Sicilian. Then a King side attack sacking two more  pieces , he resigned one move before  checkmate. The soul swoons and is giddy under such circumstances; this cannot be bought manufactured or faked  and is pure because it is genuine.   The Synchronicity of Jung and contemplating the poetry of Rumi are the only things that come close.

In response to the original post:-

On one or two occassions i felt the need to report abuse but when i clicked to report abuse i was hit with a page asking to fill in various bits of information. It all looked a little time consuming so i didnt bother. Has anyone else done the same?

If so, could there be an alternative (quicker) way to report abuse? A system whereby if somebody is flagged x amount of times by members then they immediatley get blacklisted or at the issue gets brought to a member of staff so they can evaluate if they require blacklisting (bannng etc). 

Graw, reporting abuse is very very easy. The only information it asks you for is your name and email, then the name of the person you're reporting and for a link to the pertinent page. It couldn't be made to be "easier", because you just can't simplify the amount of information required. The system you're proposing would lead to weird gang-mobs. I've had to report abuse a few times, and it's always taken care of really swiftly.

 I am rated in the top 30 players on Facebook but i am not an IM or GM. Maybe your playing on a different chess application than me because generally speaking the players are just fast rather than really really good players and win on time. I dont think anyone (in relative terms) there cheats especially since i have been playing very quick games there and i doubt anyone can cheat the timer! If they can, well, they only fool themselves.

"catch them all!and give rigorous punishment!"

yeah! make them do 100 push-ups!

 Ah! That was my initial thought. I must be using a different chess appliciation than you guys. The one i use is 'Live chess'. As far as i know there are several chess applications on facebook.com.

 What does "in relative terms" mean. Your comment on time is also dubious. Are you saying that they aren't cheating because they play fast!???  This whole area needs as full investigation and there ase a number of good ideas that have already come up. I suggest that the top 50 players all be investigated.