Rules to discourage cheating:
• CWC matches should be played continuously (with a 10 min break available to each side in case of emergency) without outside help from either an engine or another player during the match. To facilitate this, both players and spectators should avoid requesting computer analysis until after the match is over (i.e. where a match means 10 continuous games, do not use computer engine analysis between games). The only exception to this rule is in the case of an adjournment agreed by both players to continue a match at a later time and date.
• If a player is suspected of cheating, following the conclusion of a match, the player that suspects the cheating should advise multiple organisers until they obtain a response (@JannLee @okei @LegionDestroyer @grogers @googa @littleplotkin @FischyVishy)
• This step of raising the initial complaint should be kept private first out of respect for the process
• A complaint that an opponent is cheating is a serious allegation and is not something that a player should do just because they lost a match and wish to overturn the result without grounds to do so
• When a player suspects cheating, an argument with evidence will need to be provided (for example, there will need to be provision of games which are suspicious and particular moves or behaviour pointed out)
• This complaint will be screened by at least one of the organisers to assess the information provided – if there is reasonable grounds to suggest that cheating was not involved, this will be provided back to the complaining player so that they can decide if they wish to accept the explanation or proceed with the cheating complaint
• If the cheating complaint proceeds past initial assessment, the accused player will be notified privately by the organisers and will have a chance to respond privately
• If the accused player wishes to admit to cheating and voluntarily withdraw, the issue will be resolved by overturning the result and the matter will not be pursued any further
• If the accused player wishes to claim they have not been cheating, then they have the right to appeal and will be required to provide a counter-argument to the evidence provided by the complaining player
• The organisers will share this information with both players privately to assess if there can be agreement made
• Where agreement cannot be resolved at this stage, the case details will be referred to lichess moderators which could potentially have further consequences beyond just CWC disqualification if a player is found to be cheating
The intent of this process is to conduct a fair and transparent method to prevent cheating which includes the right to an appeal for the accused player. We hope this process will lead to better outcomes with smoother resolutions and that we can build upon this in future. This should serve more as a deterrent for cheating so that all players participate with honesty and integrity. However, the process above can be followed if required to pursue fair results.
Rules to discourage withdrawals without notice:
• It is understandable that life circumstances can take priority and withdrawal from an event may be required
• Therefore, when voluntary withdrawal is requested within fair notice period and fair reason, there will be consideration given by organisers for no penalty to be applied
• However, withdrawal without notice may lead to penalties beyond disqualification depending upon stage of the tournament
• Very early withdrawals without notice carry fewer consequences for others, whereas late withdrawals at critical points of the tournament affect several players and the tournament structure - case by case assessment will be made by organisers on suitable penalties to be imposed during this year (e.g. prize money) as well as future years (e.g. offending players may be prohibited from future entry)
• In particular, the positions in the candidates stage are in high demand within this community and it is a privilege to be able to make it this far in the tournament - there is a strong expectation from both the organisers and the community that candidates will make their best efforts to complete all matches as scheduled, if not at least completed with some delay if fair reasons are provided by players
Rules to discourage players from repeatedly turning up late or otherwise not showing up at all for scheduled matches:
• There is a basic level of respect between opponents to turn up on time for scheduled matches
• Misunderstandings do occur with regards to time zones and of course there are unforeseen events that can result in players not being able to turn up for matches, so there is allowance for this to occur once or twice with the opportunity to reschedule matches
• However, where a repeated pattern occurs for a particular player which either appears to be deliberate, or where there is a lack of effort to turn up on time for matches following warnings from organisers, there is the potential for penalties or possibly disqualification to be applied on a case by case basis
• Lack of effort to schedule matches on time without fair notice and fair reason will also attract similar penalties
• CWC matches should be played continuously (with a 10 min break available to each side in case of emergency) without outside help from either an engine or another player during the match. To facilitate this, both players and spectators should avoid requesting computer analysis until after the match is over (i.e. where a match means 10 continuous games, do not use computer engine analysis between games). The only exception to this rule is in the case of an adjournment agreed by both players to continue a match at a later time and date.
• If a player is suspected of cheating, following the conclusion of a match, the player that suspects the cheating should advise multiple organisers until they obtain a response (@JannLee @okei @LegionDestroyer @grogers @googa @littleplotkin @FischyVishy)
• This step of raising the initial complaint should be kept private first out of respect for the process
• A complaint that an opponent is cheating is a serious allegation and is not something that a player should do just because they lost a match and wish to overturn the result without grounds to do so
• When a player suspects cheating, an argument with evidence will need to be provided (for example, there will need to be provision of games which are suspicious and particular moves or behaviour pointed out)
• This complaint will be screened by at least one of the organisers to assess the information provided – if there is reasonable grounds to suggest that cheating was not involved, this will be provided back to the complaining player so that they can decide if they wish to accept the explanation or proceed with the cheating complaint
• If the cheating complaint proceeds past initial assessment, the accused player will be notified privately by the organisers and will have a chance to respond privately
• If the accused player wishes to admit to cheating and voluntarily withdraw, the issue will be resolved by overturning the result and the matter will not be pursued any further
• If the accused player wishes to claim they have not been cheating, then they have the right to appeal and will be required to provide a counter-argument to the evidence provided by the complaining player
• The organisers will share this information with both players privately to assess if there can be agreement made
• Where agreement cannot be resolved at this stage, the case details will be referred to lichess moderators which could potentially have further consequences beyond just CWC disqualification if a player is found to be cheating
The intent of this process is to conduct a fair and transparent method to prevent cheating which includes the right to an appeal for the accused player. We hope this process will lead to better outcomes with smoother resolutions and that we can build upon this in future. This should serve more as a deterrent for cheating so that all players participate with honesty and integrity. However, the process above can be followed if required to pursue fair results.
Rules to discourage withdrawals without notice:
• It is understandable that life circumstances can take priority and withdrawal from an event may be required
• Therefore, when voluntary withdrawal is requested within fair notice period and fair reason, there will be consideration given by organisers for no penalty to be applied
• However, withdrawal without notice may lead to penalties beyond disqualification depending upon stage of the tournament
• Very early withdrawals without notice carry fewer consequences for others, whereas late withdrawals at critical points of the tournament affect several players and the tournament structure - case by case assessment will be made by organisers on suitable penalties to be imposed during this year (e.g. prize money) as well as future years (e.g. offending players may be prohibited from future entry)
• In particular, the positions in the candidates stage are in high demand within this community and it is a privilege to be able to make it this far in the tournament - there is a strong expectation from both the organisers and the community that candidates will make their best efforts to complete all matches as scheduled, if not at least completed with some delay if fair reasons are provided by players
Rules to discourage players from repeatedly turning up late or otherwise not showing up at all for scheduled matches:
• There is a basic level of respect between opponents to turn up on time for scheduled matches
• Misunderstandings do occur with regards to time zones and of course there are unforeseen events that can result in players not being able to turn up for matches, so there is allowance for this to occur once or twice with the opportunity to reschedule matches
• However, where a repeated pattern occurs for a particular player which either appears to be deliberate, or where there is a lack of effort to turn up on time for matches following warnings from organisers, there is the potential for penalties or possibly disqualification to be applied on a case by case basis
• Lack of effort to schedule matches on time without fair notice and fair reason will also attract similar penalties