Accused of Cheating

When accused of cheating, how should one react? Firstly, I see no point in using an engine to create an artificially high rating: it is a lie to yourself as well as to everyone else. Actually such accusations could be seen as a compliment from your opponent, but it is still bad publicity and could lead to a ban. If I were cheating then my rating ought to reflect this - right? So how would you react?

Ignore it. Chess.com will look at your games if you are reported but chat doesn't count.

They don't ban anyone until they have solid proof.

Okay thanks, one opponent started telling me with chat how they intended to report me. They kept on about it and finally left the clock to tick 10 mins in a completely lost position. They sent a public message warning others to avoid me. My play is quite inconsistent and sometimes I don't take the game as seriously as I should. When I do take it seriously, I normally have one or two oversights according to later analysis. I use the online app for this. Maybe one day I'll install Stockfish.

Did you know you can delete comments like the ones they left on your profile page? 

You can also block them to stop them from making others.

Yes I realised that thanks. I have left them there for now since I have absolutely nothing to hide. I wonder if that is really wise though. Deleting stuff people say about you online can also raise suspicion (it's bad etiquette). I did block one accuser because of the stupid things they were saying to me during the game.

provide the opponent with the link to cc cheat detection , say here you go mate feel free to report me ,

call their bluff if you aint cheated ,

The only issue I have is when I win and someone says "Nice engine" or some such. That is always amusing. I 'reported' that...what one could call unsportsmanlike or rude behavior once. Nothing happens...and it probably should not. People get irritated when they lose sometimes.

I would delete those comments, because when your opponents see it in your profile, they might abandon games against you, or they grow so suspicious that they cannot concentrate on the game because they are only looking for the signs of cheating. I know from personal experience that it is very unpleasant to play against a suspected cheater. If you are not a cheater, why cause discomfort to your opponents?

Great idea. I didn't know of this feature - I'll look into it and do exactly as you suggest. Looking again at the games in question, I notice that I hardly ever took the engine's first choice - that's why my rating's so low.

Good point. I'll do so now.

OP,  the last 2 people who accused you seem to be serial accusers.  Just go through the walls of the opponents that they  recently lost to and you will see the same accusations. 😂

@svarte lost her last 3 games and accused all 3 players! That's some consistency. 

You should disable the chat, and only chat with your friends. I did it some days ago, and it is was a good decision. First: protection against crazy people, second: you will prevent yourself to accuse people if you lose a game. It is sad, but better like this. We can communicate in the forum.

The worst thing which happened to me was when a guy began to get mad when I went on playing a Daily Game with material down. I even was able to regain some of the material (two pawns) and the guy have really to find some difficult moves to win the game. I even think that some of these moves were similar to those produced by engine - you know what I mean: when the guy begin to play very accurate, difficult to understand moves.  This was the first time I thought seriously to start an engine to analyse the game - I am happy I didn't do this (a high price to pay just because a guy is acting like a psycho), and I lost eventually with a blunder.

Thanks for all the advice. It is very much appreciated. endgame347 LOL

If someone reports you, then you should report them for reporting you.

Kind of perpetuum mobile of chess? Circle of life?

Did you see that your avatar is on the side RedGirlZ? Just to tell you...

Perhaps

Nothing, was just a comment. The avatar is original, no question.

No, it is not!

Accusing as cheater is a verbal abuse.

It should be considered as seriously as rude words!

(Take screenshot and report it if you wish).

For example, will you feel the same verbal abuse if a stranger accuse you of stealing his money vs rude words? People who feel that opponents are cheaters should report secretly but must not accuse them.

Unfortunately, afaik, chess.com policy dont consider accusers as verbal abuse.