The Cheat Detection Crisis

In a shocking revelation, Chess.com is striking back against cheaters, closing down more than **100,000 accounts every month** for violating fair play rules. As the battle intensifies, the platform is launching new measures to cement integrity in online chess.

Behind the Numbers: A Closer Look

A recent blog post titled **Breaking Down 100,000 Closures A Month** by IM Kassa Korley, Chess.com's Senior Fair Play & Communications Advisor, dives deep into the alarming trends surrounding account closures. Even though this represents a mere **0.3% of monthly active users**, the sheer volume has surged as their overall user base expands.

New Account Red Flags

What’s even more concerning? A staggering **40% of the accounts shut down were created within the last two weeks**! The average number of games played before closure has dropped to just **52 games**, marking a **17% decrease since December 2024**. This suggests that Chess.com's advanced screening and autoban mechanisms are honing in on suspicious activity faster than ever, sometimes flagging accounts after fewer than **10 games**.

The Tech Behind the Takedown

The platform is deploying sophisticated tracking to identify inhuman playing strength and unusual patterns in real-time. Regular "checkpoint" reports now monitor not only the number of games played and ratings gained but over **100 gameplay factors** to determine authenticity. A whopping **85% of account closures** are managed automatically through algorithms. This technological edge allows Chess.com to devote its attention to the more complex cases that slip through the cracks.

Future Measures: Protecting Players

In response to the astronomical number of new account closures, Chess.com is considering innovative changes. One intriguing proposal involves having **new accounts primarily compete against each other**, delaying their matches with seasoned players. While this could protect long-standing users from cheaters, there’s a potential downside: it could lead to longer wait times for newcomers.

Kassa Korley summed it up succinctly: "This idea may have some cons, but the pros seem pretty obvious." As Chess.com continues to refine its fight against online cheating, its commitment to fair play remains unwavering, ensuring that the chess community can enjoy the game without the shadow of deceit.