Ether2023

Unfortunately Chess.com is not doing enough to reduce cheating. It is obvious that at least 10% of players of slow Rapid games (such as 15|10) who are rated above 1000 probably cheat intermittently. They do so in a smart manner to avoid detection. Yet only 1.9% of my Rapid opponents (8 of 419 games) have been closed for cheating. Thus probably more than 4 out of 5 cheaters are not being detected. Therefore I have decided to discontinue my paid subscription until such time as Chess.com more effectively deters cheating. I also will no longer play rated games.

1 March 2024

Statistics below updated 29 May 2024

Number of Rapid opponents closed for cheating: 15

Percentage of Rapid opponents closed for cheating: 3.5% (15 of 426 games).

Since Chess.com will only close an account for violating the Fair Play Policy when it is absolutely certain beyond any reasonable doubt that the player has cheated, it follows that the real percentage of players cheating must be much higher.

Therefore the percentage of players rated over 1000 who cheat intermittently is probably a double-digit figure. That is, at least 10%. I agree with Fabiano Caruana on this point and I admire his courage in politely speaking out.

Hilariously, the purpose of the Cheating Forum is to deny that cheating is common.