We already do. This happened a few days ago:
lichess->user: "In your game history, you have several games where you have left the game or just let the time run out instead of playing or resigning. This can be very annoying for your opponents. If this behavior continues to happen, your account will be terminated."
user->lichess: "I will continue to manage my time as I please. I will remain faithful to my way of acting until the end and if that's a problem, so delete my account."
We also knew for sure the behavior was intentional (he sent messages such as "6 minutes waiting for you, ****.")
lichess: * closes account*
I understand the frustration with such behavior, and I can see the motivations for both approaches.
On the one hand, actually formalizing a rule is a bit tricky.
On the other hand, some cases are pretty clear-cut, so using some reasonable human judgment and erring on the side of being charitable wouldn't be so hard (although I'd be surprised if the mods don't already do this).
On the third hand (if only...), I actually have less of a problem with people just abandoning the game than I do with other time-wasting behaviors.
If they abandon the game I can just go do something else, read interesting articles, watch a high-rated game, or something, and return to the game if I get alerted that they've made a move.
On the other hand, if someone is in a mindlessly losing position, say KQPPPkp, and keeps playing, but uses as much time as possible between moves, that's even more annoying to me, honestly, and there's nothing to be done about that at all.
All told, I get that it's very frustrating when opponents behave the way the OP mentioned, but I'm not so sure that this sort of annoying behavior can be so easily handled in a consistent, formalized way.
EDIT: While I was typing my response, erikelrojo posted his, so I see my suspicion that this is something the mods already do on a best-judgment basis is correct :)
@erikelrojo Thanks a lot kudos to you guys! Is there a page on the details of this regulation?
@Adamantis Regarding #9 and #13, developers (non-moderators) don't know details about such regulation.
@a_pleasant_illusion I think trying to catch those who stalls time by playing moves extremely slowly is near impossible without players helping to report them. Maybe reporting is the only way to flag them. But then again, it's probably not a common thing for them to do because it takes up lots of time. The normal regulations should deal with the bulk of stallers efficiently.
@Toadofsky Oh really? So are the moderators in charge of regulation? Sorry but I'm quite new to lichess so I'm not sure of the structure here. Please enlighten thanks :)
Here's a good example of the poor sportsmanship the op is referring to.
@AdamantisYeah, that's why I mentioned it. There are many annoying behaviors that simply can't be handled to everyone's satisfaction in a fair way.
People can do what is feasible, and I think the lichess staff does a great job there, but there will always be some way for some people to annoy others on the internet.
'Tis the way of things :)
There presently are quite a few threads on this topic. I'm a little surprised at how many (relatively speaking only a very small minority) are under the misguided impression that they can use their time however they please. That somehow they have a "right" to refuse to move, many even suggesting that they are intitled to make a single opening move with never making another move or not moving when in check and only a single legal move can be made.
Sure they have the "right".
One time.
Then get warned and abide by the rules and guidelines set by Lichess regarding sportsmanship and fair play.
Simple. Don't want to follow the rules? Want to be rebellious, act like nobody can tell you what to, it is your right? Go elsewhere with this immature attitude. Have a question about if something is acceptable or not? Contact support.
Guidelines for what constitutes poor sportsmanship are simple.
Reasonable and objective judgement shall be used when assessing possible infractions. A list of rules covering every possible infraction is impracticable, can not be written as it would lead to ambiguity and subjective argument.
One rule suffices. Poor sportsmanship is against the rules.
Questions? Read the terms and FAQ's about examples.
Members have every "right" and expectation of a chess game being played once a seek is matched and the game starts. Lichess has an obligation to meet these expectations of players who are here in the spirit of playing chess and to sanction those whose intent is at disruption.
The chess site is the property of Lichess. Members agree to the terms of service. It's somewhat surprising at the amount of people who are under the impression this is their property, that they can't be told intentional and disruptive behavior is against the rules since their "particular" infraction is not specifically written in the rules.
Thank you. That's my peace on the subject.
@a_pleasant_illusion Yup but great step forward for lichess in regulating the greatest annoyance out of all of them :)
@notfast102 Click away at the report button! XD
