frankly i think slow ches is in trouble because of this issue. I think only solution is to move to fast time limit games with opponents not allowed to get up during games.

MNb wrote on 12/28/08 at 11:16:42:


I rather suspect that it would take no electrical wizard to corrupt this device, in spite of the manufacturer's brag about it.  For one thing, it connects to the internet, and that is a fairly good sign that it can be compromised.

drkodos wrote on 12/28/08 at 00:53:19:


I'm very glad to hear that. As soon as I have $360 in my chess budget not already accounted for, I'll be sure to check it out myself

I'm hoping to get some feedback on a paranoid worry that I've had for the last year or so. It concerns the Monroi electronic chess managers that many people now use to record their games. Is it possible to find some way to load an engine onto one of these devices? Or even to have one that transmits and receives information? I assume it would take significant technical knowledge and a lot of time, but it seems like that would be an extremely effective way to cheat. I hope someone can assure me that I'm just being paranoid about this 

Note:   

I moved this thread here because as the original author himself stated, it belongs here.

~SF

Markovich wrote on 12/12/08 at 15:33:22:


Starting to do it?

At a recent tournament in North Carolina this past summer, I witnessed a gentleman, rated under 1300, who went undefeated in the U/2000 section, while simutaneously making many, MANY trips to the restroom.  After every move he would get up, stroll to the rest room.

On one occasion, in round four, I was coming out of a stall and saw him standing in discreet fashion as possible, frantically punching buttons on some type of PDA.  When he saw me, he turned away as fast as possible and the device disappeared into a pocket.


Did I mention it to the TD?  Yes, I did.   

Did I accuse him of cheating? No.   

Only mentioned that he was doing something with some type of device.  I was directly asked:  "Was he cheating?"  I replied that I did not know, only that his actions were "suspicious" and that the perception I recieved was not a positive one.


What was he doing?  I am not certain, but don't make me think.

Not much, I guess. I have such a smartphone and have installed Chessgenius. I can use it because my work demands a lot of tedious traveling, quite often by train or plane, and that´s where most of my chess studies happen. It is very helpful to have a chessboard with you when reading books, likewise it comes in as patzer control when I try to second-guess some book moves.

The program is strong, about 2200 according to the advertisement, definitely much better than I am. I know that I could get better results by cheating with this gadget, and everybody else too.

So what can be done? The IT-screening used at WM-matches is definitely out of the question. Just some common-sense ruling:

I guess all arbiters would be well advised if they strictly rule out that it is prohibited to bring electronic devices such as cellphones etc. to the tournament area.

Everybody should know that players are not allowed to leave the playing area (not the tournament area) while it´s their turn. If my opponent would repeatedly leave the venue while he has to move I would probably inform the arbiter.

Repeated walks to the loo look suspective too but the stress of play leads to the need of repeaded leaks by a lot of players including myself. Any further suggestions?