Community Moderation Guideline: "Stopped Playing" (aka Escaping)

Preface: these guidelines have been developed collaboratively by the Community Moderator volunteers.

They're open for discussion and update, via the OGS forums.

Although you can, please don't edit these unless your edits have been endorsed in a suitable way.

The Guidelines

NOTE: The Report Category is now called “Stopped Playing,” where before it was “Escaping.” This change was made to clarify for reporters how escaping differs from Stalling, and it has greatly reduced miscategorized reports. However, “escaping” is still used in this document as the common term, while “Stopped Playing” is used for the formal category.

1. Definition of Escaping. The difference between escaping and stalling:

• Escaping: leaving the opponent [permanently] waiting and wondering
• Stalling: playing moves or taking actions to delay the outcome

2. Almost all losses by disconnection are escaping. The exception is when someone accepts the correct score and leaves the game before the opponent has accepted. If the score is correct, the player is entitled to leave after accepting, so there is no escape in such cases. If the game went to scoring, check the end of the Game Log.

   If a player claims an unstable connection, that can be adjudicated separately.

3. Losses by timeout are usually escaping, but never in Blitz games, which are expected to timeout often. On the other hand, 30 sec. is certainly enough time to resign, if the players are experienced and the position is simple. But where does one draw the line? Currently, this is a judgment call. The “Final action” line in the report shows the time between the last move and (1) the escape (before stone removal), or (2) the start of stone removal (if the escape occurred during stone removal).

4. First-move escapes. These also require disconnection or timeout.

5. All cancellations are legitimate; they are not escaping. In the past, cancellation by a player who accepted a challenge was often considered escaping, but this is no longer true. Caution: before voting “No escaping due to cancellation,” make sure the cancellation was by the accused. If the cancellation was by the reporter, then the vote should be “No escaping evident.”

6. If a game is still in progress, no escaping has occurred. Players can use their time as they see fit.

7. Failure to accept the score is escaping. This refers to cases where the player held the tab open until the scoring clock timed out, as distinct from repeated rejections of the score, which is Stalling. The rationale for this is discussed here: Guidelines for Judging Stalling - resolved discussions - #4

8. Escaping is allowed in correspondence games. These reports should be voted “No escaping evident.” (Note: this is under review - but it is the current ruling)

9. Changing the report category. Sometimes the reporter is confused about the term, or more than one violation occurred. In these cases, the CM can and should change the category and vote. Caution: The system will bump you to the next report in the queue, so you will need to back up to cast a vote.

10. The expected winner escapes. Generally speaking, this occurs in two different ways:

Early in the game (but after the cancellation window has closed): The escaper thinks the opponent is too weak, or has some other personal reason for leaving. Usually, the game should not be annulled unless the escaper has an overwhelming lead.

Late in the game: Usually, this is a won game that needs to be annulled. However, sandbagging is a possibility. If time allows, the CM can check the player’s recent history for signs of sandbagging (won games that were timed out or resigned). If none are found, then the vote should be annul and warn. If some are found or if there is no time to investigate, then simply change the category to Sandbagging, so a mod can handle it.

11. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to press the “Ignore” button and move on. Let other CMs worry about reports that don’t seem clear to you.

12. Resignation is never an escape. Some beginners think otherwise and sometimes file such reports. If the person who resigned was winning, it might be "Sandbagging" - change the report type in this case.

13. Repeat offenders. If someone has already received two warnings for Stopped Playing, then a third report should be escalated (if the offense is verified) for final warning, and a fourth report should be escalated for possible suspension.

14. Dissenter’s note. When a CM clicks a choice that differs from an existing vote, a box appears where an explanation can be given. This can be used to point out a mistake in the earlier vote or a mitigating factor. Its use is optional and should be anonymous.

15. Additional cautions:

Check the move number. If the accused did not escape at that time, but did escape later, then go ahead and warn them for escaping. Make sure the accused is the person who escaped.