Masked Players

Who is my opponent really? This annoying question has been in my head ever since I started playing chess in this app, and it is not about uncovering a player's real-life identity, but distinguishing when I'm facing an engine that simulates humans, or a cheating/talented mortal, in rated games. As far as I know, only users can chat. Unless, the creators bestowed upon engines the ability to converse with people. So, there are two unmistakeable facts that prove my adversary is a person: One, he/she disabled the chat option. Two, he/she chats vividly. Then, when none of above are present and a depressing defeat hits my pride with a devastating perfect play by him/her/it I wonder: hmm.. no disabled chat.. no replies to my friendliness.. no blunders, mistakes, or even inaccuracies..! Here is my conclusion: I believe that those who wrote this "addicting" program equipped it with the brilliant-yet-dishonest back-up plan of masking a computer with human makeup to prevent users from leaving and thus, upgrade the account. There is nothing wrong with this. Hey.. It's business. But.. I just wish I could only play human beings. (If you feel the same way or disagree, please post your input. Thank you and Happy Playing!)

How is disabled chat a sign that you are playing a person instead of an engine? Wouldn't it be far easier to program an engine to disable chat than it would be to program it to carry on a convincing conversation?

In any case, I've found that the number of "engine use" accusations outnumber the actual incidences of cheating by at least 20-to-1. Everyone who loses a game is convinced that they are the victim of cheating.

Fair point, blueemu. However, I think your argument helps mine in a way: narrowing down to only one fact(#2) makes identifying a player even harder. :/ It's not about accusing anyone, but about fairness, joy, sportsmanship, etc...

Only the chess moves determine engine use for me.