Anti cheating
What is the PlayE4™ anti cheating program?
PlayE4™ anti cheating program is provided by Cognisafe, world class developer of anti-cheating and security platforms for the online gaming industry and based on advanced semantic technology offering accurate behavioral analysis of the game process and the players' activities to detect online game cheating in real time.
Does it mean that I can't use any chess bot in my free time?
PlayE4™ encourages our players to learn and improve their chess skills all the time. You can practice your chess skills using our software or any other chess bot in your free time, but if you'll use a chess bot in real time, our cheating prevention will detect it.
How do I know that my opponent does not use bots?
PlayE4™ is using the most advanced anti-cheating system that detects and prevents bots and other forms of cheatings in real time.
PlayE4™ is 100% secure and cheating-free, so you can be confident when playing online chess on PlayE4™.
PlayE4™ anti cheating program is provided by Cognisafe, world class developer of anti-cheating and security platforms for the online gaming industry and based on advanced semantic technology offering accurate behavioral analysis of the game process and the players' activities to detect online game cheating in real time.
Does it mean that I can't use any chess bot in my free time?
PlayE4™ encourages our players to learn and improve their chess skills all the time. You can practice your chess skills using our software or any other chess bot in your free time, but if you'll use a chess bot in real time, our cheating prevention will detect it.
How do I know that my opponent does not use bots?
PlayE4™ is using the most advanced anti-cheating system that detects and prevents bots and other forms of cheatings in real time.
PlayE4™ is 100% secure and cheating-free, so you can be confident when playing online chess on PlayE4™.
Changing Game Terms
How do I know if my potential opponent changed the game terms while negotiating?
For your convenience, each time your opponent changes the terms, these changes will appear in red.Pay attention to the terms for each game/match (especially the initial stake and time).
For your convenience, each time your opponent changes the terms, these changes will appear in red.Pay attention to the terms for each game/match (especially the initial stake and time).
Player's Rating
What is a player's rating and how is it calculated?
PlayE4™ is using a modified FIDE rating system. The rating system was made to determine the player's skill. In every match* you win or you lose, you are added or subtracted rating points.
Please note: the ratio of how many rating points a player gains and how many rating points his or her opponent loses will not always match.
*Single games are rated as 3pt matches. The purpose of this is to have money games and matches rated similarly.
PlayE4™ is using a modified FIDE rating system. The rating system was made to determine the player's skill. In every match* you win or you lose, you are added or subtracted rating points.
Please note: the ratio of how many rating points a player gains and how many rating points his or her opponent loses will not always match.
*Single games are rated as 3pt matches. The purpose of this is to have money games and matches rated similarly.
Draw
Who takes the money if a game ends in a draw?
In a case a game ends in a draw, the money is divided equally between the two players and a commission is taken from each of the players.
If a game ends in a draw, does the rating change?
The rating changes only if the difference rating between the players is bigger than 10 points.
In a normal game of chess I can offer a draw. How do I do that at PlayE4™?
You can offer a draw on your turn only. An offer cannot be withdrawn and remains valid until the opponent accepts it or the turn is over.
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In a case a game ends in a draw, the money is divided equally between the two players and a commission is taken from each of the players.
If a game ends in a draw, does the rating change?
The rating changes only if the difference rating between the players is bigger than 10 points.
In a normal game of chess I can offer a draw. How do I do that at PlayE4™?
You can offer a draw on your turn only. An offer cannot be withdrawn and remains valid until the opponent accepts it or the turn is over.
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Chess Timer
What is the initial timer control?
PlayE4™ allows you to decide on the length of the game by setting the initial timer. The initial timer ranges from 1 to 2 minutes.
Please note that if you and your opponent set the initial timer on 1 minute, it means that each player has 1 minute to play.The game ends when the clock reaches zero.
In addition to the initial time, you have time increments of 1-5 seconds.
What is the increment and how does it affect my game?
The increment is the move timer of 1-5 seconds. After every move, the increment is added to your initial time. Your clock counts down to zero upon your turn to move. Towards the very end, the clock icon becomes red.
What is the difference between Bullet, Blitz and Active?
PlayE4™ has three different time zones;
PlayE4™ allows you to decide on the length of the game by setting the initial timer. The initial timer ranges from 1 to 2 minutes.
Please note that if you and your opponent set the initial timer on 1 minute, it means that each player has 1 minute to play.The game ends when the clock reaches zero.
In addition to the initial time, you have time increments of 1-5 seconds.
What is the increment and how does it affect my game?
The increment is the move timer of 1-5 seconds. After every move, the increment is added to your initial time. Your clock counts down to zero upon your turn to move. Towards the very end, the clock icon becomes red.
What is the difference between Bullet, Blitz and Active?
PlayE4™ has three different time zones;
- Bullet, the fastest game , up to 3 min' (1+1,1+2,2+1,).
Blitz, 3-15 min' for each player (1+3/4/5,2+2/3/4/5,3+1/2/3/4/5, 4+1/2/3/4/5,5+1/2/3/4/5).
Active, only in fun mode, up to 30 min' (1+20,2+20,3+20,4+20,5+20).
1400* Rating
Why does my opponent have a 1400* rating? What does it mean?
Out of courtesy to players with a low rating level (below 1400 points), PlayE4™ presents it as 1400*.
Out of courtesy to players with a low rating level (below 1400 points), PlayE4™ presents it as 1400*.
Starting a Game
How do I start a game of chess?
To start a match, you can either click ‘join' to sit in an open table or to create a new match. When creating a match, you can choose between playing a single game or a series. Once you have decided to join or create a match, you will be presented with a negotiation box in which you and your opponent decide on the terms, stakes and the time of the match.
To start a match, you can either click ‘join' to sit in an open table or to create a new match. When creating a match, you can choose between playing a single game or a series. Once you have decided to join or create a match, you will be presented with a negotiation box in which you and your opponent decide on the terms, stakes and the time of the match.
Saving Games at PlayE4™
Are my games stored anywhere, and how can I reload old games to view them later?
Every one of the games that you play on PlayE4™ is stored. You can view your games by selecting "games history" from the lobby or from the cashier. Choose the game you like to watch and navigate with the forward and backward arrows to see your moves.
Every one of the games that you play on PlayE4™ is stored. You can view your games by selecting "games history" from the lobby or from the cashier. Choose the game you like to watch and navigate with the forward and backward arrows to see your moves.
Fun Money
My fun money balance has reached 0. What can I do to reload it?
If your fun money balance has hit the 0 point all of a sudden, this is a simple mistake: you merely switched to real money by accident. Just click the Switch To Fun Money button, which is located in the right bottom corner of the PlayE4™ game lobby, below the Now Playing For Real Money button - and voilla! Your fun money balance (and rating) has been successfully restored*.
I was playing for fun money and I ran out of time, while I was ahead. How come I lost my sum involved?
Whenever playing for fun money, the player, who disconnects or runs out of time, suffers a technical loss of the game/match, regardless of the game board state.
*Note: you never run out of fun money. As soon as it reaches the lower limit of $5 or less, it will get automatically replenished back to $100.
If your fun money balance has hit the 0 point all of a sudden, this is a simple mistake: you merely switched to real money by accident. Just click the Switch To Fun Money button, which is located in the right bottom corner of the PlayE4™ game lobby, below the Now Playing For Real Money button - and voilla! Your fun money balance (and rating) has been successfully restored*.
I was playing for fun money and I ran out of time, while I was ahead. How come I lost my sum involved?
Whenever playing for fun money, the player, who disconnects or runs out of time, suffers a technical loss of the game/match, regardless of the game board state.
*Note: you never run out of fun money. As soon as it reaches the lower limit of $5 or less, it will get automatically replenished back to $100.
Real Money
I was playing for real money and my game/match got disconnected. How wıll the money be dıvıded between the players?
Whenever a single game/match is not completed (player disconnects/times out for any reason), users internet disconnection will be automatically regarded as a game lose, unless internet connection has been restored within 2 minutes.
The player that caused the disconnection suffers a penalty and the game will be automatically considered lost by the player who disconnected. Also, if a player disconnects often, his or her account will be automatically put on hold and they will not be able to play until further notice. If it happened to you, please contact us right away at support@PlayE4.com
Click for detailed information on PlayE4™ commissions in real money games.
Whenever a single game/match is not completed (player disconnects/times out for any reason), users internet disconnection will be automatically regarded as a game lose, unless internet connection has been restored within 2 minutes.
The player that caused the disconnection suffers a penalty and the game will be automatically considered lost by the player who disconnected. Also, if a player disconnects often, his or her account will be automatically put on hold and they will not be able to play until further notice. If it happened to you, please contact us right away at support@PlayE4.com
Click for detailed information on PlayE4™ commissions in real money games.
Abuse
How do you prevent players from abusing others by stalling or disconnecting on purpose?
Whenever a player disconnects/times out (real money mode), he or she automatically pays a penalty by win/lose percentages.
Moreover, PlayE4™ system recognizes and blocks players who frequently disconnect/cause a timeout.
This means that a player, who disconnects often, will be risking his or her account being automatically banned from the site by our system.
How do you control players that cheat, curse and/or cause general dismay to others?
PlayE4™ does everything in its power to prevent any kind of abusive behavior. Most of the time, we do locate and punish players, who are using foul tactics in order to gain unlawful advantage or for any other purpose.
However, every day, an increasing number of new players is joining the site, and along with them, some "rotten apples" as well. Therefore, our work to prevent and eradicate this behavior is an ongoing, 24/7/365 struggle (you should note that most of this behavior is to be found on our "fun" mode, for obvious reasons).
In spite of all that, we can assure you that PlayE4™ is better handled than any other site on the net today and far more experienced. Moreover, PlayE4™ has the largest community of players from all over the world, to this date - thus, turning to PlayE4™ is the best option for any chess player, who wishes to play online.
Whenever a player disconnects/times out (real money mode), he or she automatically pays a penalty by win/lose percentages.
Moreover, PlayE4™ system recognizes and blocks players who frequently disconnect/cause a timeout.
This means that a player, who disconnects often, will be risking his or her account being automatically banned from the site by our system.
How do you control players that cheat, curse and/or cause general dismay to others?
PlayE4™ does everything in its power to prevent any kind of abusive behavior. Most of the time, we do locate and punish players, who are using foul tactics in order to gain unlawful advantage or for any other purpose.
However, every day, an increasing number of new players is joining the site, and along with them, some "rotten apples" as well. Therefore, our work to prevent and eradicate this behavior is an ongoing, 24/7/365 struggle (you should note that most of this behavior is to be found on our "fun" mode, for obvious reasons).
In spite of all that, we can assure you that PlayE4™ is better handled than any other site on the net today and far more experienced. Moreover, PlayE4™ has the largest community of players from all over the world, to this date - thus, turning to PlayE4™ is the best option for any chess player, who wishes to play online.
Chess Tournaments
What do I get for winning a satellite tournament on PlayE4™?
In a satellite tournament, you win a free entrance to another tournament. At times (not always), satellite tournaments carry cash prizes.
How do I enroll to my free tournaments?
First click the proper tab above the main table in the "Game Lobby".It would be either a event or a Sit & Go Tournament. You will see the "Enroll free!" button, which allows you to enroll into one of the tournaments for free.
Why did I not succeed in entering a <1600 tournament- what does it mean?
A <1600 tournament is a rating limited tournament, which only allows players with a rating below 1600 points to participate.
What are stars? How do I gain them and what can I use them for?
Stars are used as the buy-ins for our stars freeroll tournaments.
You receive a star for each dollar you play for, regardless of whether you win or lose.
Stars are accumulated when playing chess for real money games only
(meaning: there are no stars in fun money play mode).
Your accumulated stars are displayed at the right side of the screen, just below your rating.
I was in the middle of a tournament, got disconnected and could not reconnect. Does this mean I forfeit?
When disconnecting, you have 2 minutes to reconnect. Also, you cannot disconnect 3 times during a match. If this happens, you are automatically disqualified from the tournament regardless to the game board status.
What happened if there is more than one winner in an event tournament?
In that case you'll have a breaker draw game. The winner in that frame is the winner. (See also chess rules- ending the game in a draw).
In a satellite tournament, you win a free entrance to another tournament. At times (not always), satellite tournaments carry cash prizes.
How do I enroll to my free tournaments?
First click the proper tab above the main table in the "Game Lobby".It would be either a event or a Sit & Go Tournament. You will see the "Enroll free!" button, which allows you to enroll into one of the tournaments for free.
Why did I not succeed in entering a <1600 tournament- what does it mean?
A <1600 tournament is a rating limited tournament, which only allows players with a rating below 1600 points to participate.
What are stars? How do I gain them and what can I use them for?
Stars are used as the buy-ins for our stars freeroll tournaments.
You receive a star for each dollar you play for, regardless of whether you win or lose.
Stars are accumulated when playing chess for real money games only
(meaning: there are no stars in fun money play mode).
Your accumulated stars are displayed at the right side of the screen, just below your rating.
I was in the middle of a tournament, got disconnected and could not reconnect. Does this mean I forfeit?
When disconnecting, you have 2 minutes to reconnect. Also, you cannot disconnect 3 times during a match. If this happens, you are automatically disqualified from the tournament regardless to the game board status.
What happened if there is more than one winner in an event tournament?
In that case you'll have a breaker draw game. The winner in that frame is the winner. (See also chess rules- ending the game in a draw).
Game Features
Can I play multiple games at the same time?
Yes, PlayE4™ uses a tabbed system. You can play against as many players as you like and each game will be contained within a tab. When it's your move the tab will turn blue, click on it and play your move.
When my game is over, how do I re-challenge that player?
When the game ends a negotiation window will pop up again. Determine your terms again, click the V button to play again and wait for your opponents response.
How is it decided who plays white and who plays black?
In a regular game, colors are usually decided by the players in the negotiation box. The player, who created the table, has the right to choose the color of his or her pieces. In tournaments, the software will randomly pick who plays which color.
How many options are there to end a game with a draw?
You can either press the resign button on the top right side of the game table window or play that way that your opponent time will run out before he will checkmate you .
How do I switch the sound on or off?
In the settings menu window, you can see the "play sound effects" check box button, clicking that check box toggle sound on and off.
Yes, PlayE4™ uses a tabbed system. You can play against as many players as you like and each game will be contained within a tab. When it's your move the tab will turn blue, click on it and play your move.
When my game is over, how do I re-challenge that player?
When the game ends a negotiation window will pop up again. Determine your terms again, click the V button to play again and wait for your opponents response.
How is it decided who plays white and who plays black?
In a regular game, colors are usually decided by the players in the negotiation box. The player, who created the table, has the right to choose the color of his or her pieces. In tournaments, the software will randomly pick who plays which color.
How many options are there to end a game with a draw?
- There are four options to a game ends with a draw:
- By agreement between the players.
- An identical position that reappears three times.
- The "dead position" rule.
- The 50-move-rule.
(see also PlayE4™ rules)
You can either press the resign button on the top right side of the game table window or play that way that your opponent time will run out before he will checkmate you .
How do I switch the sound on or off?
In the settings menu window, you can see the "play sound effects" check box button, clicking that check box toggle sound on and off.
Moves Features
The highlighted moves are disturbing me. How do I switch them off?
In the settings menu window, you can see the "enable highlights moves" check box button. Make sure that box is switched off.
Can I click on the piece that I want to move and then click to another piece to drop it off?
Yes.
Can I reverse a move?
If you wish to reverse your moves by clicking "undo", you will have to mark the "enabling undo" option in the negotiation box. Otherwise, you will play a touch-move game type.
Can I make a move with the keyboard?
The answer is no – the only way to play is with the mouse. You can drag the pieces by pressing the left button on the mouse.
Can you touch a piece without moving it and then move a different piece?
The answer is yes – in a touch-move game, you must leave the piece in its legal spot; in "enabling undo" game type, you have to press submit to finish your move.
Can I promote a pawn to a queen if I already have a queen on the board?
You can promote a pawn to a queen even if there is another queen on the board. You can also promote it to a knight even if you already have two knights; same goes for bishops and rooks. If all eight pawns reach the last rank, you can have nine queens or ten rooks. There is one restriction: a pawn cannot promote to a king or to another pawn.
Does 'en passant' work only from the 5th row, or can it happen anywhere?
A pawn can only move 'en passant' ('e. p.') when on its own 5th rank. Essentially, it pretends that an enemy pawn that moves for the first time has just advanced one rank instead of two. The e. p. option is available for only one time and disappears if not used on the first opportunity.
What is "castling the king" and how does it work?
Castling is the only situation where two pieces move at the same time. The king moves two squares toward the rook, and the rook hops over the king. With this one move, you get your king into a safe spot, advance one rook, and connect the rooks to each other.
In the settings menu window, you can see the "enable highlights moves" check box button. Make sure that box is switched off.
Can I click on the piece that I want to move and then click to another piece to drop it off?
Yes.
Can I reverse a move?
If you wish to reverse your moves by clicking "undo", you will have to mark the "enabling undo" option in the negotiation box. Otherwise, you will play a touch-move game type.
Can I make a move with the keyboard?
The answer is no – the only way to play is with the mouse. You can drag the pieces by pressing the left button on the mouse.
Can you touch a piece without moving it and then move a different piece?
The answer is yes – in a touch-move game, you must leave the piece in its legal spot; in "enabling undo" game type, you have to press submit to finish your move.
Can I promote a pawn to a queen if I already have a queen on the board?
You can promote a pawn to a queen even if there is another queen on the board. You can also promote it to a knight even if you already have two knights; same goes for bishops and rooks. If all eight pawns reach the last rank, you can have nine queens or ten rooks. There is one restriction: a pawn cannot promote to a king or to another pawn.
Does 'en passant' work only from the 5th row, or can it happen anywhere?
A pawn can only move 'en passant' ('e. p.') when on its own 5th rank. Essentially, it pretends that an enemy pawn that moves for the first time has just advanced one rank instead of two. The e. p. option is available for only one time and disappears if not used on the first opportunity.
What is "castling the king" and how does it work?
Castling is the only situation where two pieces move at the same time. The king moves two squares toward the rook, and the rook hops over the king. With this one move, you get your king into a safe spot, advance one rook, and connect the rooks to each other.
Bugs or Disconnections
If I see any bug on the system. What should I do?
PlayE4™ is making its best efforts to verify that bugs won't disturb your enjoyment from the game. However, technical problems may occur due to internet malfunctions. Please contact our support team via e-mail.
What happens if I get disconnected during a game?
If you are not reconnected within 2 minutes, the game will be considered as lost.
My opponent made an illegal move.
PlayE4™ detects and prevents any illegal move attempted by the players. However, if you are convinced that a player had committed an illegal move, his pawn captured in an illegal way or his king and rook moved funny, please review the rules of PlayE4™ first. If you are still convinced there was a bug or an illegal move made, please contact our support team.
PlayE4™ is making its best efforts to verify that bugs won't disturb your enjoyment from the game. However, technical problems may occur due to internet malfunctions. Please contact our support team via e-mail.
What happens if I get disconnected during a game?
If you are not reconnected within 2 minutes, the game will be considered as lost.
My opponent made an illegal move.
PlayE4™ detects and prevents any illegal move attempted by the players. However, if you are convinced that a player had committed an illegal move, his pawn captured in an illegal way or his king and rook moved funny, please review the rules of PlayE4™ first. If you are still convinced there was a bug or an illegal move made, please contact our support team.