Some players have very big differences in their ratings. Of course there are specialists in bullet, so a 2300 classical may well be a 2600 in bullet. Also some players are weaker with little time, I consider myself to be one of these. So 2300 classical may be 2100 blitz and 1900 bullet. But what about these guys 2400 classical, 1500 blitz, 1200 bullet (with enough games played in every section)? I just don't believe them! What do you think?
I don't believe it is possible to be legitimate 2400 classical and 15 blitz. If I met someone like that, report and no play list.
I saw many players of this kind, but I'm nut sure if this is enough for a report.
Just had a 2200 blitz, 1100 bullet.
Just had a 2200 blitz, 1100 bullet.
Even more interesting as the pure rating difference is the playing style. If they play like low skilled players in bullet (no real opening knowledge, many blatant blunders, low strategical understanding...) and suddenly like expert or even master class players in classical, then this is a clear sign that something may be wrong.
Low skilled cheaters are often unable to play in an unsuspicious way. They tend to be weak chessplayers. Weak chessplayers are normally also weak cheaters... good for us!
Nada
Low skilled cheaters are often unable to play in an unsuspicious way. They tend to be weak chessplayers. Weak chessplayers are normally also weak cheaters... good for us!
Nada
I agree completely, but I don't want to spend my time checking their games. When I see something like this, I just feel free not to play them and block them.
Just a few days ago I saw the Number 1 in classical with 2600 and blitz 2100. I was absolutely sure without seeing a single game and now he is already flagged a cheater.
#5 probably the best option if you don't feel compelled to analyze a few games and file a report to the mods. I would agree that such a rating imbalance is quite suspect when they are not provisional ratings.
Just for the point of saying it though, since there are nowhere near as many cheaters as people think...There could be cases in which someone who plays a strong classical game in really long clocks (20 min+) has a super strong rating but in bullet gets torn to shreds by time pressure and trap lines they have never encountered. I know a lot of bullet openings tend to be weird. (I watch I just don't play because it racks my nerves.) Even in blitz a lot of openings tend to be fairly standard so they can be whipped out quickly, but in bullet you'll get some really wild ones to throw off unfamiliar opponents...many traps that are proven to be unsound but that will easily catch someone who isn't prepped on that crazy trap. Maybe the high rated classical player works their way out of the trap but uses 3/4 of their clock to do it and then flags every game.
It'd be interesting, as was said, to see how they are losing, why they are losing, etc. before immediately judging them...but it is indeed quite suspicious as most really strong players (2200+)should at least be capable of fumbling their way through bullet matches with their solid opening theory used for rapid openings and reach 1800-2000 level. And a strong blitz player should be even more capable of reaching a fairly solid bullet rating. If they're flagging every game though but still playing similar to the rest of their games, that would be expected I think, maybe latency issues or a cheap mouse. haha
Just for the point of saying it though, since there are nowhere near as many cheaters as people think...There could be cases in which someone who plays a strong classical game in really long clocks (20 min+) has a super strong rating but in bullet gets torn to shreds by time pressure and trap lines they have never encountered. I know a lot of bullet openings tend to be weird. (I watch I just don't play because it racks my nerves.) Even in blitz a lot of openings tend to be fairly standard so they can be whipped out quickly, but in bullet you'll get some really wild ones to throw off unfamiliar opponents...many traps that are proven to be unsound but that will easily catch someone who isn't prepped on that crazy trap. Maybe the high rated classical player works their way out of the trap but uses 3/4 of their clock to do it and then flags every game.
It'd be interesting, as was said, to see how they are losing, why they are losing, etc. before immediately judging them...but it is indeed quite suspicious as most really strong players (2200+)should at least be capable of fumbling their way through bullet matches with their solid opening theory used for rapid openings and reach 1800-2000 level. And a strong blitz player should be even more capable of reaching a fairly solid bullet rating. If they're flagging every game though but still playing similar to the rest of their games, that would be expected I think, maybe latency issues or a cheap mouse. haha
@ Fenris
"there are nowhere near as many cheaters as people think"
How can you know? When you play bullet or you have an average rating it might not be a big issue. But with 2100-2200 and playing classical it's a different story. Just read somewhere that of the top 10 classical 4 players have been caught. To me this is a lot. I prefer to play unrated. You won't believe how many players, already flagged, join me. It's much more than I ever expected!
"there are nowhere near as many cheaters as people think"
How can you know? When you play bullet or you have an average rating it might not be a big issue. But with 2100-2200 and playing classical it's a different story. Just read somewhere that of the top 10 classical 4 players have been caught. To me this is a lot. I prefer to play unrated. You won't believe how many players, already flagged, join me. It's much more than I ever expected!
Look at it this way: the better you get, the less important ratings are.
There are definitely people cheating at higher rating levels in longer time controls. Basically anything longer than 5 min gives someone plenty of time to use an engine as most games only last 35 moves or so eg 8 or more seconds per move. I would report them to the mods. From what I've read, mods have automated tools which look for certain patterns in play across games. So it shouldn't be too much effort for them to check.
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