Engine assistance

Engine assistance occurs when a player uses a chess engine, software that analyzes positions and recommends moves, to gain an advantage during an ongoing game where such help is forbidden. It can involve entering the position into another program, consulting evaluations or variations, meaning possible move sequences, or receiving engine-generated recommendations through another person or tool.

The decisive issue is the game's context and rules. In live competitive play, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and major platforms prohibit external help intended to improve calculation or move choice. Some correspondence formats, games played at a very slow pace under specific rules, allow particular resources such as books or opening databases, but that does not automatically mean engines are allowed. The specific event or platform policy controls.

Using an engine after the game has ended is different and is normally part of study and review. The fair-play violation arises when prohibited information influences decisions in a game that is still active. Anti-cheating systems aim to detect this and other forms of improper assistance. Engine assistance can also involve collusion when another person operates the engine or relays its recommendations.