With students participating in online tournaments from home, there may be a desire by some to get help during their tournament game. Whether it is from a parent, sibling, chess engine, or another source, students are not allowed to utilize or receive assistance of any kind with their tournament games.
The CPS ACADEMIC CHESS RULES AND REGULATIONS apply to all CPS students participating in Academic Chess program which include online tournaments. CPS tournaments utilize the U.S. CHESS FEDERATION OFFICIAL RULES OF CHESS which include the following anti-cheating rules:
- 20A. Conduct of players. Players shall participate in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship.
- 20B. Use of recorded matter prohibited. During play, players are forbidden to make use of handwritten, printed, or otherwise recorded matter.
- 20C. Use of notes prohibited. The use of notes made during the game as an aid to memory is forbidden, aside from the actual recording of the moves, draw offers, and clock times, and the header information normally found on a scoresheet.
- 20D. Use of additional chessboard or computer prohibited. A player who analyzes a game in progress on another chessboard or consults a computer about the position is guilty of a serious violation of the rules.
- 20E. Soliciting or using advice prohibited. During play the players are forbidden to make use of any notes, sources of information or advice (solicited or not), or analyze on another chessboard.
ChessKid also has Fair Play Ruleswhich prohibit the use of computers and outside help. They also have a video about Fair Play.
Violations of these Fair Play/Anti-Cheating rules are taken seriously and can result in an array of penalties based on the severity of the offense. Anyone suspecting a student of cheating or not playing fairly during an online tournament should email David Heiser at daheiser@cps.edu and Arlecia Taylor at ajtaylor@cps.edu. As a reminder, at Over-the-Board tournaments notify one of the Tournament Directors.