A lot of words get thrown around in talks about cheating, such as ‘outside assistance’ ‘ tablebase’ and ‘engine,’ but what are the specific things that count as cheating on Chess.com?
Well, it’s a bit different depending on whether you are playing Live or Daily chess! See below for a breakdown of what is or isn’t allowed! You can read more about fair play on Chess.com here: https://www.chess.com/fair-play
Daily Chess (days per move)
--The below are NOT ALLOWED--
Engines - You may not use any engines to analyse ongoing games! This includes Chessmaster, Fritz, Komodo, Houdini, Stockfish, Chessbase with any active UCI engine, etc.
Tablebases - Tablebases are chess databases that contain every possible move for endgames of up to 7 pieces. These sequences will always lead to a win when a win is possible, and are for that reason the same as asking an engine to analyse a position. Tablebases are not allowed!
Help from other people - You are not allowed to ask for help from another person! Do not ask anyone for advice on any of your ongoing games! Do not let anyone else play on your account!
Fixing game results - Arranging games, playing with multiple accounts or losing intentionally are also against the rules!
--The below are ALLOWED--
Books - You may consult chess books, lessons, or videos to search for a good move. These resources do not involve an engine that finds an answer for you, so are okay for Daily games!
Opening databases - You may look at opening databases, or game records to find a good move. You may NOT use any of these that also use an engine to evaluate the best moves!
The in-game self-analysis tool - You may use the self analysis tool to look at possible moves, and to set conditional moves. This is only available in Daily games!
Live Chess (bullet, blitz, rapid)
--The below are NOT ALLOWED--
Engines - You may not use any engines to analyse ongoing games! This includes Chessmaster, Fritz, Komodo, Houdini, Stockfish, Chessbase with any active UCI engine, etc.
Tablebases - Tablebases are chess databases that contain every possible move for endgames of up to 7 pieces. These will always lead to a win when a win is possible, and are for that reason the same as asking an engine to analyse a position. Tablebases are not allowed!
Help from other people - You may not ask for help from another person! Do not ask anyone for advice on specific ongoing games! Do not let anyone else play on your account!
Books, opening databases, or any outside help at all! - For Live games on Chess.com, if you are looking at anything other than the game in front of you, you shouldn’t be! Focus on your game, and play with your own mind and strength!
Fixing game results - Arranging games, playing with multiple accounts or losing intentionally are also against the rules!
Puzzle rush and Rated tactics
--The below are NOT ALLOWED--
Engines - You may not use any engines to help solve tactics! This includes Chessmaster, Fritz, Komodo, Houdini, Stockfish, Chessbase with any active UCI engine, etc.
Tablebases - Tablebases are chess databases that contain every possible move for endgames of up to 7 pieces. These will always lead to a win when a win is possible, and are for that reason the same as asking an engine to analyse a position. Tablebases are not allowed!
Help from other people - You may not to ask for help from another person! Do not ask anyone for advice on your tactics! Do not let anyone else play on your account!
Books, opening databases, or any outside help at all! - For puzzle rush and rated tactics, on Chess.com, if you are looking at anything other than the game in front of you, you shouldn’t be! Focus on your game, and play with your own mind and strength!
Computer Games, and Unrated Puzzles
Unrated puzzles and games against the computer personalities are the only exceptions to the above rules. Since these games and puzzles are not rated or against a real person, you are free to experiment with whatever tools, and learn however you choose!