We do have accounts that we use, using all manner of different forms of cheating. Obviously I can't go into it in-depth as to what metrics we look for, what we test and how, but we are constantly developing and testing new methods of cheating, just so we can constantly develop and create new methods of catching.
The methods of cheating we have developed, and protected lichess against are VERY accurate. We haven't tested the cheating methods or engines we've developed here on other sites, because that would be unethical, but I am almost certain that cheaters which would be undetectable on other sites are detected here.
The thing is, we're very public with how we handle cheats. They get a big red box on their account (and for the simple cheaters, within 10 games). Those caught cheating are exceptionally vocal (our email account will get at least 2 or 3 emails daily from cheaters - and the email address isn't as public as the forums).
The percentage of accounts which do cheat are very low here.
Now, as you said, people may use engines as a prompt, as a way of easily finding a best move, and only use it two or three times a game, at decisive moments. As said above, we extensively try to cheat without lichess detecting it on an account specifically for that purpose. If you think we haven't used that method, and created ways of detecting it, you're sorely mistaken.
Again, I can't get into specifics, but within 30 games you will be banned automatically.
lichess is very open and transparent in terms of what we post, the information we give you, and how we interact with you. But do appreciate that this information is very sensitive, and we will not share our methods lightly. You will just have to trust us, who have seen the evidence and know what happens behind the scenes, and can see the statistics and the big picture, rather than trusting your anecdotes and concerns.
I will leave this open a bit longer and see if we move anywhere constructive, but if not I'll close it, because we're starting to go in circles.
The methods of cheating we have developed, and protected lichess against are VERY accurate. We haven't tested the cheating methods or engines we've developed here on other sites, because that would be unethical, but I am almost certain that cheaters which would be undetectable on other sites are detected here.
The thing is, we're very public with how we handle cheats. They get a big red box on their account (and for the simple cheaters, within 10 games). Those caught cheating are exceptionally vocal (our email account will get at least 2 or 3 emails daily from cheaters - and the email address isn't as public as the forums).
The percentage of accounts which do cheat are very low here.
Now, as you said, people may use engines as a prompt, as a way of easily finding a best move, and only use it two or three times a game, at decisive moments. As said above, we extensively try to cheat without lichess detecting it on an account specifically for that purpose. If you think we haven't used that method, and created ways of detecting it, you're sorely mistaken.
Again, I can't get into specifics, but within 30 games you will be banned automatically.
lichess is very open and transparent in terms of what we post, the information we give you, and how we interact with you. But do appreciate that this information is very sensitive, and we will not share our methods lightly. You will just have to trust us, who have seen the evidence and know what happens behind the scenes, and can see the statistics and the big picture, rather than trusting your anecdotes and concerns.
I will leave this open a bit longer and see if we move anywhere constructive, but if not I'll close it, because we're starting to go in circles.