Monday, December 26, 2005

Cheating.... what is it?

We are told to never cheat. Chess is no exception. However, internet chess players often complain loudly about how bad cheating is. The problem seems to be rampant!

However, I have always noted that there does not seem to be any major consensus about what exactly is cheating. Sure, some online chess sites will tell you that given behavior is acceptable or not, but without the internet site overseers making such rules, there does not appear to be any real real uniformity about what exactly is cheating.

And even then, the internet chess sites often seem to have conflicting rules. For example, note the rules for www. gameknot.com (a very reputable site) see http://gameknot.com/faq.pl

Q21: What is considered cheating? How to report cheaters?

A: It's quite simple -- you can not use anything besides your own brain, and you can not consult anyone besides yourself. That includes chess programs, chess engines or chess computers, your friends, colleagues etc. etc. Chess books and game/move databases are allowed (as they are permitted in correspondence chess too).

I just don't see much distinction about using a computer and a chess book. (Both seem to be incorporating ideas, themes, and stategies that are not yours). Do you agree?

I have published a brief survey below of disputable behavior I have noticed in my brief chess career. THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. Here are the official results:

The question is whether the following behavior is unfair or cheating:

9 Comments:

At 1:05 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

interesting results... I didn't know if you were asking about places like FICS or correspondence (or play by email) so I left some questions out.

 
At 4:25 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

using a book for the opening and using an "analysis board" is done with correspondence chess and its within the rules,
doing either of these things at a normal game is cheating. these are the questions I left out.

 
At 12:45 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

forget cheating, lets talk about you exposing your bra

 
At 9:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"However, I have always noted that there does not seem to be any major consensus about what exactly is cheating"

It's black and white,

Cheating is getting assistance from
other players to help you win or using a 2989 rated chess program opponent has no chance in hell of beating to play the entire game.

Internet Players have no ethics or moral code all they care about is there rating and winning at all
costs.

 
At 2:14 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Many online players who rely on databases and books pretend they do not,which in my opinion is tantamount to cheating.[they are only kidding themselves with regard to ratings] If they are upfront about their reliance on them then I think that it is fairish, [debatable morally maybe] but as the rules on a lot of chess sites allow it because they are unable to prevent it who can complain.
Databases/engines certainly do not make for fair games.
I have played many engine and database users OTB and there is a marked difference in their skill level compared with their online play.

 
At 10:16 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is non-debatable. There are rules of chess, and rules of correspondence chess. If you play by that rules, you aren't cheating. Period.

 
At 7:08 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about this scenario:

Mirroring moves. You play a move in 1 of 2 games you have with your opponent. He then makes the same move as white. He waits for you ro reply to his white move and then does the same back to your white move. You are then in effect playing against yourself.

If you are playing somebody a lot lower rated than yourself you can drop a lot of points. You will either get 2 draws or 1win and 1 loss.

 
At 10:11 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You con I thought you were talking about chi ting no saving sence I thought it was trick play on words well it was worth a look lol
I was in a mind game of my own and this is where I thought i was heading
back to the bank realling only trying to make some cents in savings time over time!over but while I'm hear I thought i wood deposit this little loaf four you two make sum crumbs with. ps light and flacky crust trust me eh.

 
At 6:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Talking to players about a given position. Would that include publically posting a game in progress for comment?

 

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