It surprises me that with one engine user being caught after another there are people still insisting on using them once they are past the 2000 ratings here.
Of course, most engine users probably don't pay any attention to the chess forums where most of the announcements are made, so they are most likely oblivious of the existence of the engine hunters.
Joester was in the process of arguing the case for why phatboy was not an engine to me as well.
It is a shame sometimes, although they are engine users they tend to be friendly players and very talkative during the games (I guess they have the time to write all the messages with the engines doing the thinking for them) - I sometimes think there could be a few more 3(c) bannings as well as the cheats, to try and make the forums a friendlier place.
I would rather be banned for 3(c) then 3(b) - at least my chess credentials would be unblemished - plus it would be a false banning if I did go for 3(b)
Though, lately, I am feeling far more peaceful towards the forum members - so not much to worry about.
By the way - if I am the pot, you must be the kettle?
Even though Joester was detectable as a cheater for a long time now, it's still nice that the banning pace seems to be picking up. I count just five more fairly obvious cheats among the top 60.
What will be *really* nice is to see "players" like clivestraddle banned before they reach 1900. That's when we'll know that the mods have the upper hand.
Originally posted by DawgHausI agree that it would be ideal to have players like clivestraddle banned before he stole a bunch of tournaments, and phatboy/joester etc. banned before they had eliminated legitimate players from earlier rounds of the championships, but from a practical standpoint it's nearly impossible.
What will be *really* nice is to see "players" like clivestraddle banned before they reach 1900. That's when we'll know that the mods have the upper hand.
After so many months of not knowing what was going on with game moderation and sullenly watching the ranks of 2200+ players swell, I for one am just pleased as punch to see so many 3(b)s lately.
Keep up the good work secret moderating ninjas!