Dealing with Cheating in Online Chess
How platforms detect cheaters, what to do if you suspect one, and how to protect fair play.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: Cheating is the most destructive force in online chess. It robs honest players of fair competition and corrodes trust in the game. The good news is that detection technology has become remarkably effective. Cheaters are caught far more often than they escape.
How Cheating Detection Works
Major chess platforms use sophisticated statistical analysis to detect cheating. Their systems compare a player's moves against the top choices of powerful chess engines, looking at accuracy rates, move timing, and behavioral patterns across many games.
No single game can definitively prove cheating. But patterns across multiple games - consistently engine-level accuracy, suspicious timing, and dramatic rating spikes - trigger investigations. The platforms' anti-cheating teams then review the evidence before taking action.
What to Do If You Suspect Cheating
If you believe an opponent is cheating, use the platform's report feature after the game. Provide the game link and a brief explanation of your concerns. Do not accuse them in the chat - you might be wrong, and accusations create hostility.
Remember that strong moves do not equal cheating. Sometimes your opponent simply played well or found a brilliant idea. Reserve your suspicions for patterns that truly seem impossible, not individual good games.
After reporting, let the platform handle it. Their detection systems have access to data you do not - including the player's entire game history, timing data, and browser behavior.
Protecting Your Own Account
Never cheat. Beyond the ethical implications, the consequences are severe: permanent bans, public shaming on some platforms, and the knowledge that your achievements were fraudulent.
Do not open chess engines, databases, or analysis tools during rated games. Even having them open in another tab can look suspicious to monitoring systems. Close everything except the game itself.
If you are falsely accused of cheating - which does happen, especially after a very strong performance - contact the platform's support team with a calm explanation. False positives are rare but do occur.
Cheating FAQ
How common is cheating in online chess?
Estimates vary, but platforms report that a small percentage of accounts are flagged for fair play violations. The vast majority of players are honest. Do not assume every loss is due to cheating.
Do platforms refund rating points lost to cheaters?
Most major platforms refund rating points when a cheater is confirmed. If you lost to a player who is later banned, your rating will be adjusted.
Professor Archer says: If you encounter a cheater, do not let it discourage you. Report, move on, and play your next game. The platforms handle the punishment. Your job is to keep playing honest chess and focus on your improvement.
Quick Quiz
What is the best way to respond if you suspect your opponent is cheating during a game?
- Accuse them in the chat immediately - Chat accusations are inappropriate because you might be wrong, and they create a hostile environment.
- Use the platform's report feature after the game (Correct) - Correct. Report through official channels after the game ends. The platform has the tools and data to investigate properly.
- Abandon the game in protest - Abandoning games is poor sportsmanship. Finish the game and report afterward.
- Use an engine yourself to make it fair - Two wrongs do not make a right. Using an engine yourself is still cheating, regardless of what your opponent does.