GM Spraggett writes, "Cheating is destroying the game
[i]I don’t play so much these days, but in the relatively few international tournaments that I have played in during the past 5 years here in Europe, I have witnessed a significant number of examples of cheating. Even amongst 2700-plus players, not just the lowly amateur.
Some of these methods used are quite sophisticated, and implicate outside help. All require the tournament arbiters to close their eyes and look the otherway. As I wrote several times here on this blog, a good rule of thumb is that at any given time in any tournament as many as 20% of the participants are cheating in one way or the other. Not just with apps.
Now that it is well established that parents, spectators, arbiters and even organizers are participating in this ‘epidemic’, that rule of thumb must be updated and increased."[/i]
Sorry, I can’t link to the citation, since his website contains adult content. Evidently Claude Lessard, a well known Canadian arbiter, was caught cheating via cell phone during a game, and was banned for two years by the FQE.
It’s been noted on Chess base that in the German league, a very high percentage of players use ADD medications like Adderall without having ADD. This gives them an advantage over those not having ADD not on medication.
Over the years, from the early 1970’s to now, the most frequent forms of “cheating” I have seen fit into the following categories:
Casual contact between players, coaches, spectators, and parents. It was common to go to big tournaments and see players conversing in aisles with compatriots. While some of it was innocuous, the frequency of the contacts was more than suspicious. It was clear that chess was a team game for some Russian speaking players, with information being passed at critical times. One could hear moves and variations being discussed during games. Other nationalities also talked to each other about games in progress. TDs who did not know the languages could not police the floors even if they tried. One player I know found his higher rated, titled foreign opponent in the book seller’s room reading a book on the opening they were playing. They guy was forfeited but was allowed to play subsequent rounds, earning a prize. Today it is common to see kids conversing animatedly with parents who are holding thin tablets with the position of their child’s games.
Various drugs have been used to stimulate players. Back in the '70’s and even before that, some players experimented with different amphetamines to improve energy and focus. Many players hyped themselves up with extreme doses of caffeine through coffee and tea which may haver worked for some, but were not helpful physically. The use of drugs and caffeine supplements have effects like sleep deprivation, tremors, and frazzled nerves during critical moments. I see players guzzling “5 Hour Energy” at tournaments as well as popping pills. For short term gain, players are risking long term health damages. In the old days, players thought alcohol was a stimulant. Now it is used to come off the highs and numb the brain into sleep. Drugs and alcohol, not a good chess combination.
Electronic devices have become ubiquitous. When the program Tech was developed in the early '70’s, it was not very good, but it was a precursor of what was possible using computers and good programming. By the mid-'80’s, the Hitech and Deep Thought programs were 2450-2550 strength. They required sophisticated hardware and were unwieldy to use except by their handlers. Today, one can buy powerful programs and download apps that fit into devices that are in the palm of your hand. This has opened the chance to cheat to everyone. Every tournament I attend, there are players or parents sitting on the floor analyzing positions using Fritz, Komodo, Stockfish, or other programs, either alone or in multiple configurations tied into databases. The power of these devices is enticing, even if it is used to win a mere trophy.
Sandbagging. Once a player rises to a certain level, he may discover that improving the chess rating is noble and ethical, it is not vey economic. Lowering the rating, throwing games in tournaments you are not doing well in, may lead to large prizes in class section of future tournaments. Maintaining a rating below a rating threshold is fairly easy to do. With the new rating changes that have increased volatility, it is possible to lose many more points in the tournaments a player decides to crash his rating in. He must be careful to toss as many as he can before and after a big event. That is not so hard as there are plenty of Game 30s to give away points in. Running out of time or hanging a piece is easy in a fast timecontrol tournament and no one notices what he is doing, unless he loses several games o players who are considerable lower rated. Having a couple of mediocre tournaments that are cheap to play in works just fine. He can work on new openings and then make a blunder. The acting crushed takes some dramatic skill, but suffering for one’s art is expected.
Is all of this killing the game? There seem to be a lot more players around even if one cannot trust them. If your goal is to attract attendance and make money, you may not want to notice what is going on. On the other hand, if you are a purist who thinks the game is an art, a noble conquest, and an elevation of man’s culture, you are not happy about the sleazy way the tournament game has degenerated into a gambler’s paradise. In any event, move over as the means to stop the cheating are few. You can punish the ones you catch, but you will have a harder time changing the new chess culture. As they say, “If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.” It is all about the Benjamins.
“I am convinced, the way one plays chess always reflects the player’s personality. If something defines his character, then it will also define his way of playing.” – Vladimir Kramnik
Cheating is sadly, a part of human nature. Look at all the anti-cheating stuff the Olympics has, yet Russia still managed to cheat at the Sochi Olympics. Lance Armstrong as a champion, and now fallen cyclist. The list is endless.
In any event, Cheating is a forum topic all too often.
Maybe it’s time for another symposium on Cheating In Chess?
An opportunity for players, organizers, coaches and TDs to review the development of the problem(s) in the last decade, and to try and come up with solutions.
This could even be held at the Delegates Meeting in Orlando.
The sentiment at the FIDE Anti-Cheating Commission was that a change in culture was probably necessary.
I got GM Spraggett’s autograph at the Open Portugal tournament in February in Lisbon. Spraggett now lives in Portugal, but I don’t think he was referring to this event. The event had all players and spectators scanned with a wand prior to entry into the playing area. Cell phones had to be checked [like a coat check] at the desk outside of that area. I was able to bring in a scan camera for some photos. So, there were some devices allowed into the playing hall. There were about 6-8 arbiters in the playing area for the 260 players that played. Some electronic devices [camera, electronic scorers, medic alert] were allowed in the playing area, but they had to be out in view or put away when not in use. Anyone with a cell phone on their person in the playing hall would have the game forfeited. FIDE has some interesting rules that have been enacted over the last few years.
I think using supplements is not cheating at all. If people want to damage their bodies it is on them. No reason why drugs and caffeine should be out of chess.
Which supplements are you thinking of? Something like Huperzine A has been shown to have a positive effect on cognition. Many chess players use it with no ill effects.
Possibly the most used substance to increase mental focus is amphetamine salts used to treat ADD. If one doesn’t have ADD, the salts can improve the ability to concentrate. As the number of college students who regularly use them to prepare for and take exams. I’m not aware of any major problems for players illicitly using this medication.
I’ve been told that coffee also helps players concentrate. But I think it would be utterly ridiculous to forbid players to drink coffee (or to limit how much of it they can drink). Note: I do not drink coffee – it’s an acquired taste that I never acquired.
Sugar is also helpful. But it would be equally ridiculous to ban soda or fruit juice or bananas during chess games – even though too much sugar may, in the long run, be more harmful than too much caffeine.
I’m more worried about Stockfish than I am about coffee or Adderall.