Cheating in chess is a deliberate violation of the rules of chess or other behaviour that is intended to give an unfair advantage to a player or team. Cheating can occur in many forms[1] and can take place before, during, or after a game. Commonly cited instances of cheating include: collusion with spectators or other players, use of chess engines during play, rating manipulation, and violations of the touch-move rule. Many suspiciously motivated practices are not comprehensively covered by the rules of chess.
Even if an arguably unethical action is not covered explicitly by the rules, article 11.1 of the FIDE laws of chess states: "The players shall take no action that will bring the game of chess into disrepute."[2] (This was article 12.1 in an earlier edition.)[3] For example, while deliberately sneaking a captured piece back onto the board may be construed as an illegal move that is sanctioned by a time bonus to the opponent and a reinstatement of the last legal position, the rule forbidding actions that bring chess into disrepute may also be invoked to hand down a more severe sanction such as the loss of the game.[4]
FIDE has covered the use of electronic devices and manipulating competitions in its Anti-Cheating Regulations,[5] which must be enforced by the arbiter.[6] Use of electronic devices by players is strictly forbidden.[7] Further, the FIDE Arbiter's manual contains detailed anti-cheating guidelines for arbiters.[9] Online play is covered separately.[10]