Dear Lichess,
Has recently something changed in the cheat detection? I thought it was just fine before, but now it seems there are a lot more computer abusers.
Sincerely,
20C
Can you give us some examples of some games from players who you suspect are cheating with computers?
Only to Lichess moderators, otherwise it would be public shaming.
We actively block abusers every day, the detection system is just the best we could want to get work done.
You are unlikely to get informations about it because every information would make it more exploitable, but I don't think the percentage of cheaters is increasing.
Lichess is probably the fastest growing chess website, and between a good amount of legit players there will always be those who - for some reason - think to get some benefit by cheating on a chess website.
The vast majority of players you will find are legit, it won't affect your rating by any mean nor make the website's experience less valuable.
The marathon was a good proof that everyone, even good players who can use the engines in a "smart" way, will eventually be caught.
I kindly ask you to not respond to #2's request. We don't like to debate such things in public as it just leads to drama. Feel free to use the report system though to report someone/appeal an engine mark on someone's profile.
As for the cheat detection, the entire system was rewritten some 4 or 5 months ago. I think it is to some degree semantic, so it is able to compare different cheaters' games and better identify tougher cases of cheating. As the database expands, so does the detection system get more accurate, though in practice it's no more lenient than before.
Another possible answer is that lichess has grown not only in player numbers but also the staff has expanded significantly, so coverage can be more effective. As always, keep the reports coming.
But if you're interested, most of those games were played today.
#6 Just report it or send me links to those games, I'll gladly give you a feedback.
#3 actually, they are already being publicly shamed with that red sign thats put on their profile. Sadly this is even more shameful for those who have been wrongly accused.
like you?
I see now you actually bother to reply
I never cheated, that is the sad truth, i asked for the chance to prove it but i was either ignored or rejected.
And I think my comment pushed a button, because you know its true. I imagine youve been struggling with the moral of it yourself, to put a red sign over players you "suspect" of cheating rather than just banning them.
As you can see im not afraid to speak the truth, that should tell you something about me. I was wrongly accused, while you allowed playes like lemusique who admitted to cheating walk free.
