Cheating in internet chess seems like an insurmountable problem. Detecting cheaters is difficult and time consuming. But the reason so many cheat is quite simple – there are no real life ramifications. Most players are completely anonymous. Therefore, if they are caught in the act, there is no social cost. The cheater's account is banned, but that is all. A determined cheater can create a new account and start the process anew.
The most effective way to combat cheating is to impose upon the cheater the social costs that would otherwise be the result of cheating over the board at a tournament. How? Simple. Players should be made to confirm their identity and use their real names – exactly they way they would when playing in real tournaments. There should be a fee to enter online tournaments and a fee to access the site (via credit card or bank account). A cheater should also be subject to monetary fines (in the form of fees) in addition to being banned if they are determined to have cheated. For example, cancellation of membership and a fifty dollar fine.
I suspect under these protocols that cheating would be nearly entirely eliminated, as would the pool of players. However, overtime, I think this is the best route and the most dedicated players will be filtered through. Unfortunately, it is impossible to undermine the incentives for cheating since many cheat for purely psychological reasons that have nothing to do with monetary rewards (i.e. people who enjoy beating others, people who enjoy pretending they are more skilled than they are, etc.). Since the incentives cannot be eliminated, the punishment (in the form of social cost) should be so great so as to deter cheaters.
Granted, this will go against the “spirit” of a free website. Frankly, however, I would much rather pay something for an environment of honesty than take it for free with all of its flaws.
Thoughts?
The most effective way to combat cheating is to impose upon the cheater the social costs that would otherwise be the result of cheating over the board at a tournament. How? Simple. Players should be made to confirm their identity and use their real names – exactly they way they would when playing in real tournaments. There should be a fee to enter online tournaments and a fee to access the site (via credit card or bank account). A cheater should also be subject to monetary fines (in the form of fees) in addition to being banned if they are determined to have cheated. For example, cancellation of membership and a fifty dollar fine.
I suspect under these protocols that cheating would be nearly entirely eliminated, as would the pool of players. However, overtime, I think this is the best route and the most dedicated players will be filtered through. Unfortunately, it is impossible to undermine the incentives for cheating since many cheat for purely psychological reasons that have nothing to do with monetary rewards (i.e. people who enjoy beating others, people who enjoy pretending they are more skilled than they are, etc.). Since the incentives cannot be eliminated, the punishment (in the form of social cost) should be so great so as to deter cheaters.
Granted, this will go against the “spirit” of a free website. Frankly, however, I would much rather pay something for an environment of honesty than take it for free with all of its flaws.
Thoughts?