My account got marked as 'Violated Lichess Terms of Service' for deliberately losing Blitz games to reduce rating. My rating was 2100+. I wanted to fall down to 600 and rise back up again to prove that I have not achieved 2100+ by fluke. Also I wanted to cherish how far I have come in chess assuming I was also 600 level when I began learning the moves as a child. What is wrong in that ?
In real life also many players keep their FIDE rating low, i.e., sandbag to win big cash prizes in Tournaments. There is no action taken against them. This rating is online rating and it has no value in real world chess so why action is being taken here ?
I appealed to the mods here but they have not replied. I hope they will read this forum post and tell me where did I go wrong ? I am a FIDE rated player and I am trying for GM norm. There was no bad intention in reducing the rating deliberately. What will I gain by doing it anyway ? I request the mods to unmark my account as I have played 10000 games here.
lichess.org/page/appealPlease consider giving more time to mods' reply. They are volunteers and probably deal with an incredible number of requests
Did you read the lichess Terms of Service?
Sandbagging is clearly defined and identified as a violation.
You have agreed to the TOS, right?
lichess.org/terms-of-serviceLet's read together:
Sandbagging - This is where a rating is artificially deflated, such as by resigning early, losing or drawing having put no real effort into the game, against an opponent who may be an active and willing participant or a victim.
I didn't get any warning. They banned me without warning that made me angry and frustrated. There are many sandbaggers here. They do it smartly, I didn't; that's the only difference.
Anyway, I am happy that I can still play games here against players who have violated TOS and against the Computer which is available 24x7. Would be happier if my account gets unmarked.
#5:
> There are many sandbaggers here. They do it smartly, I didn't; that's the only difference.
Do everyone a favour and report them, now that you have time to spare.
@BestClassicalPlayer said in #5:
> I didn't get any warning. They banned me without warning that made me angry and frustrated. There are many sandbaggers here. They do it smartly, I didn't; that's the only difference.
The warning is in the TOS.
The excuse of "Many others do it and they are not caught" is no good, cleaning up the cheaters always goes one cheater at a time. This is your time.
@BestClassicalPlayer said in #5:
> I didn't get any warning. They banned me without warning that made me angry and frustrated. There are many sandbaggers here. They do it smartly, I didn't; that's the only difference.
So, let me make sure I understand the scenario. You blatantly violated the terms of service to which you explicitly agreed when you made your Lichess account. You acted surprised when you get flagged for violating the fair-play policy. Then you defended yourself by stating there are other sandbaggers out there that haven't been caught yet. Because of that, you think your account should not be flagged for the fair-play violation.
Do I have this right?
I don't understand what damage is done by reduction? The lower rated guys will get chance to play with a strong player when I decide to go back up. Isn't it helpful to the community ? I don't think I have done anything wrong. It is not a serious violation.
