How to Avoid Cheaters in Online Chess: A Complete Guide for Fair Play

Online chess has transformed the chess world, opening the door for millions of players to enjoy the game from anywhere, anytime. With the rise of platforms like Chess.com, Lichess, and Chess24, global competition has become accessible and fast-paced. But along with this surge in popularity has come an unfortunate problem: cheating.

Cheating in online chess—often using chess engines during play—undermines fair competition and erodes trust in the game. It affects casual players, streamers, titled players, and even grandmasters. While chess platforms have developed robust anti-cheating systems, players must also take proactive steps to recognize, avoid, and report cheaters.

In this article, we’ll explore:

What cheating in online chess looks like
The psychology and motives behind it
How to spot signs of cheating
What online platforms do to prevent it
How you can avoid cheaters
And what to do if you suspect foul play

1. What Counts as Cheating in Online Chess?

In online chess, cheating usually means using outside assistance—most often a chess engine (like Stockfish or Leela Chess Zero)—to suggest moves during a game.

Other forms of cheating include:

Getting help from another person (“teaming” or ghosting)
Using databases or books during play (in fast time controls)
Sandbagging (intentionally losing to lower rating)
Multi-accounting (creating multiple accounts to gain unfair advantages)
Using bots or scripts to play automatically

Even accidental engine use (such as toggling on the analysis board during play) is considered cheating on most platforms.

2. Why Do People Cheat?

The motivations vary, but common reasons include:

Rating obsession: Players cheat to inflate their online ratings.
Ego or vanity: Some want to appear stronger than they are.
Frustration: Losing repeatedly may tempt players to seek help.
Prize incentives: Tournaments with cash or titles may lure unethical behavior.
Revenge or trolling: Some cheat just to spoil others’ enjoyment.

Interestingly, research by online platforms suggests that many cheaters are not beginners, but intermediate or even strong players who feel pressure to perform or impress.

3. How to Spot a Cheater: Red Flags During a Game

You can’t always prove someone is cheating without platform analysis, but you can spot suspicious behavior. Look for these signs:

Suspiciously Perfect Play

Your opponent finds the best move every time—even in sharp or obscure positions.
They never blunder or miss tactics over many games.
They play like a 2500-rated player but are rated 1400.

Sudden Rating Surges

Rapid improvement in rating (e.g., gaining 300 points in a week).
Unusual win streaks against stronger opponents.

Unnatural Consistency

Consistently accurate engine-like moves, even under time pressure.
No hesitation in complex positions.

Behavioral Clues

Long pauses before very strong moves (as if they’re tabbing out to use a tool).
Instantly making difficult moves, then long pauses again.
Refusing rematches or chat after a game.

While none of these signs alone proves cheating, a combination can raise alarms.

4. What Chess Platforms Do About Cheating

Modern chess platforms take cheating seriously. Here’s how the top sites handle it:

Chess.com

Uses a proprietary Fair Play system that combines machine learning, engine comparison, and statistical analysis.
Employs a team of human moderators to review flagged accounts.
Bans cheaters quietly, often without notifying the victim immediately.
Refunds rating points to users who lost to confirmed cheaters.

Lichess

Offers transparency: public lists of banned players and cheat detection policy.
Uses open-source cheat detection combined with community reporting.
Analyzes engine correlation and behavior patterns.

Chess24 and Others

Rely on a mix of automated systems and moderator review.
Use AI to detect “non-human” move patterns.
Flag accounts for review during tournaments.

Note: Most platforms do not allow players to accuse others publicly and discourage witch hunts. Always report privately.

5. How to Avoid Cheaters: Practical Tips

While you can’t prevent all encounters with cheaters, you can minimize the risk.

✅ 1. Stick to Verified Accounts and Titled Players

Join verified tournaments (Titled Tuesdays, Arena Kings, etc.)
Prefer playing against titled players, streamers, or verified users.
Many cheaters use anonymous or throwaway accounts.

✅ 2. Avoid Hyper-Casual Time Controls

Bullet and blitz games (especially with no increment) attract more cheaters.
Cheating is easier to hide in fast games because there’s less scrutiny.
Play more rapid games (10+0, 15+10) to discourage engine users.

✅ 3. Choose Trusted Platforms

Play on platforms with solid anti-cheating systems like Chess.com or Lichess.
Avoid sketchy apps or third-party online chess sites with little moderation.

✅ 4. Play in Tournaments with Anti-Cheat Measures

Many events now require webcam verification, screen sharing, or physical setups.
Play in Fair Play-compliant tournaments, especially FIDE-rated events.

✅ 5. Trust Your Gut—and Report Suspicious Play

If something feels off, it probably is.
Use the report button provided after every game.
Your report contributes to long-term data used by detection systems.

6. What to Do If You Lose to a Suspected Cheater

Losing to a cheater can be infuriating, but how you respond matters.

✅ Stay Calm

Don’t rage or send abusive messages. This can get you reported.
Don’t accuse someone in public chat or social media.

✅ Report the Game

Use the built-in report tool (usually available post-game).
Provide context: “Suspiciously accurate moves,” “Rating spiked recently,” etc.

✅ Watch for Retroactive Bans

If your opponent is later banned, you may get a message:
“A player you recently played was found to have violated our Fair Play Policy.”
You’ll likely get rating points restored and stats adjusted.

7. Improving Despite Cheaters

Even if you occasionally face cheaters, remember:

Most online players do not cheat. Data shows over 95% of games are fair.
You can still learn from your games. Use post-game analysis to review ideas.
Rating recovery happens. Platforms often restore points after bans.
Cheaters are usually caught. Platforms are constantly improving detection.

Conclusion: Fight Cheating by Playing Smart

Cheating is a frustrating reality of online chess, but it doesn’t have to ruin your experience. By recognizing the signs, choosing the right environments, and reporting suspicious behavior, you can help foster a fair and enjoyable chess community.

Remember:

Avoid anonymous blitz games against random users if you’re serious about improvement.
Play in verified tournaments and against reputable players.
Use reporting tools—but never accuse publicly.
Focus on your own improvement. Cheaters can’t take that away from you.

In the long run, fair players always win—because the true joy of chess comes from learning, struggling, and growing honestly. And no engine can cheat that journey.