Fair Play Policy
Last updated: 6 June 2026
ChessFlow is committed to fair, honest competition. This document explains what cheating means on our platform, how we detect it, what happens when violations are found, and how players can appeal a ban.
What counts as cheating
Engine assistance
Using any chess engine, analysis tool, or AI assistant to influence your moves during a live or correspondence game. This includes:
- Running Stockfish, Komodo, Leela, or any equivalent engine in parallel with the game.
- Pasting positions into an external analysis tool between moves.
- Using AI chat assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) to suggest moves during a game.
- Receiving moves from another person via any channel during play.
Rating manipulation
- Sandbagging — deliberately losing games to lower your rating for competitive advantage.
- Rating farming — playing arranged games against accomplices to inflate ratings.
- Account boosting — logging into someone else's account (or having them log in for you) to play rated games.
False identity
- Claiming a FIDE title or rating you do not hold.
- Having a stronger player play on your behalf in any context.
- Operating multiple accounts (alternate accounts) without prior approval.
What is NOT cheating
- Using engine analysis after a game ends (post-game review is encouraged).
- Analysing your own previous games with any tool.
- Using the built-in opening explorer or analysis board between separate games.
- Discussing chess theory or openings with others when not in an active game.
- Playing badly or making mistakes — everyone has bad days.
How we detect cheating
Our automated system flags accounts based on a combination of signals. No single factor triggers a ban — accounts are flagged for human review, and a moderator always makes the final call.
Detection signals
- Move quality rate — percentage of moves matching the top-1 engine suggestion across a game sample.
- Rank of move chosen — average engine rank of each move selected (lower rank = stronger moves).
- Timing patterns — unusually consistent move times regardless of position complexity.
- Statistical anomaly — performance significantly above established rating in a specific session.
- Community reports — reports submitted by other players, reviewed alongside statistical data.
Important: Statistical flags are not proof of cheating. Strong play alone never results in a ban. A moderator reviews flagged accounts before any action is taken. We accept that false positives can occur and maintain an appeals process to correct them.
Consequences
| Severity | Finding | Action | Appealable? |
|---|
| Low | Mild statistical anomaly in one game; no prior flags | Flag added to account; no notification; moderator monitors future games | N/A (no action taken) |
| Medium | Repeated anomalies or first confirmed offence | Warning email; temporary suspension (1–14 days); game results under review | Yes |
| High | Clear engine use confirmed across multiple games | Permanent ban; rating reset; removed from leaderboards | Yes (one appeal) |
| Severe | Repeat offender after reinstatement, or organised cheating ring | Permanent ban; IP/device block; no future accounts | No |
Effect on game results
When a ban is confirmed, games played during the cheating period are marked as forfeited. Opponents receive their rating points back. Tournament standings may be adjusted where applicable.
When your account is banned
You will receive an email explaining:
- The type of ban (temporary or permanent).
- The general reason (fair play violation, harassment, etc.).
- Your appeal rights and instructions.
During a temporary suspension you can still log in to export your data and submit an appeal. During a permanent ban, login access is revoked — use the email appeal route below if you cannot access the platform.
Appeals process
How to appeal a fair play ban
- In-platform appeal (preferred): Log in → Profile → "Your Data & Privacy" → "Appeal a Ban". Fill in the appeal form. Include context: your playing strength, any unusual circumstances (connection issues, shared computer, etc.), and why you believe the finding is incorrect.
- Email appeal (if in-platform access is unavailable): Email appeals@chessflow.app from the address registered to your account. Include your username and a written explanation.
Response timeline:
- Acknowledgement within 48 hours.
- Full review decision within 7 business days.
- Complex cases (multiple games, statistical review) may take up to 14 days.
What makes a strong appeal
- Explain your chess background, rating history, and any sudden improvement (e.g. took lessons, studied opening theory).
- If a computer or account was shared, explain who else had access and when.
- Provide any documentation you think is relevant (streaming proof, FIDE records, lesson history).
- Be honest — appeals that include new admissions may still result in a reduced ban rather than a full reinstatement.
Appeal outcomes
- Approved: Ban lifted, account restored. Rating history reviewed.
- Denied: Ban stands. You may submit one further appeal if you have new evidence not included in the first appeal.
- Modified: Permanent ban reduced to temporary suspension where borderline evidence warrants it.
Permanent bans for severe violations (repeat confirmed cheating, organised cheating rings) are not subject to appeal after two denied appeals.
False accusations of cheating
Publicly accusing another player of cheating without foundation is a serious matter. If you believe an opponent is cheating, use the in-game report button or the ⚑ Report function on their profile. Do not post accusations in public channels, chat, or social media.
Unsubstantiated public accusations may result in action against the accuser's account. We take defamation risk seriously and act swiftly on takedown requests.
Transparency commitment
We publish aggregated statistics on fair play actions quarterly:
- Number of accounts flagged, warned, temporarily banned, permanently banned.
- Number of appeals submitted and outcomes.
- False positive rate (bans overturned on appeal).
We do not publish information about specific cases to protect the privacy of all parties involved.
See also: Terms of Service · Privacy Policy