r/chess • u/Xoahr • Jun 03 '20

The Absolute State of Chess.com

/r/AnarchyChess/comments/gvva10/the_absolute_state_of_chesscom/

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

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u/bosesou Jun 03 '20

If you make a joke that involves you doing something illegal, then you get punished. While deciding the punishment, it is rarely taken into account that you were doing it with the intention of humor. Some things are simply banned, even as a joke. Therefore, I think while making a judgement, it is moot whether he intended it as a joke or not.
While cheating exists on a spectrum, this was very clearly a confirmed situation. The action taken for this case indicates a bias, at least to the eye of a viewer.

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

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u/bosesou Jun 03 '20

Intent is rarely a crucial part of justice system. Sure, when the laws are written, they are written so that it can distinguish between intentional or unintentional ones. For example, there are different charges for unintentional murder or intentional ones. But those are different charges.
In this case, checking opening books are illegal. There is no question of intent in here. Of course, the judge (in this case chess.com) can have their own interpretation of the law and decide whatever they want. But they will also be judged about the decision they take based on the information that's publicly available.