New Release: Chess.com Proctor
Chess.com invests millions of dollars each year in competitive events with prizes. To ensure Fair Play standards are met and that we protect the integrity of the game, all prize events will ultimately require the use of a separate program to play. This program is called Proctor.
Here's what you need to know about Proctor:
- Download Proctor
- What Is Proctor?
- Why Is Proctor Important?
- What Does Proctor Monitor?
- How To Set Up Proctor To Play In Prize Events
- How To Livestream Using Proctor
- Competitive Events Policy And Privacy Policy
Download Proctor
If you'd like to participate in any of the events where Proctor is required, you can download the program below:
If you need help installing and using Proctor, read our installation guide. If you'd like to learn how to stream while using Proctor, click here.
What Is Proctor?
Proctor is a monitoring program that will keep track of a few things on players' computers while they're playing prize events. In essence, Proctor is a browser wrapped inside of an executable file. Once you download, install, and run the program, it will feel just like logging in to the Chess.com website.
Proctor is lightweight and won't interfere with your chess experience. You can play, work on puzzles, stream, or do anything else you'd normally do on Chess.com without even noticing Proctor is on.
Why Is Proctor Important?
As online chess is such a significant landscape for professional competition, ensuring Fair Play is critical. Proctor is another layer of security for you and all other players who are competing for prize money.
Note that Proctor is only mandatory for players competing in events with prize money. If you do not want to have your computer monitored with this software, you can abstain from playing in these competitions.
What Does Proctor Monitor?
To make sure players are playing fair, Proctor captures:
- The computer's screen
- The programs running
- Video camera feeds
- Audio inputs and outputs
This same technology is used for students taking remote exams in high school, college, and university. If this is required for a school test, it makes sense to require it when thousands of dollars are on the line in professional chess events.
For now, we will be asking some players to use Proctor when playing in Titled Tuesday. This will replace the pre-event call-ins, but we will still have a Zoom call for players who are called in mid-event. We intend for Proctor to eventually fully replace our Zoom calls and be used in all competitive events.
How To Set Up Proctor To Play In Prize Events
After downloading Proctor (find the download links above) and opening the file, you might get one or multiple requests to execute the file. Please allow or accept those requests to install and run Proctor on your computer.
Once Proctor has been installed and is running, the browser will automatically open Chess.com's home page, and you'll see a popup window asking you to select a microphone. Select the microphone you wish to use and press the "Use this" button.
You'll then have to select your first camera. Once you do, you'll see a preview of the camera feed. This camera should clearly show your entire face, so make sure you test and set up your camera while you're in the position you'll be playing. When you're satisfied with your first camera setup, press the "Use this" button.
Log in to your Chess.com account normally. Please note that once you log in to your Chess.com account, the proctoring session will automatically start to be recorded. Once you're in, you'll see another popup window with a QR code. Use your phone's camera to scan the QR code, which will take you to a page where you can set up your secondary camera. Please note that you'll need to have Chrome on Android or Safari on iOS as your default mobile browser for this step to work.
Make sure you allow your browser to access your camera, microphone, and location. You'll then have to select the camera that will work as your secondary camera. Once you select a camera, make sure you position your device behind you and diagonally at approximately a 30-degree angle and that your desk, monitors, and hands are clearly visible. When you're satisfied with your setup, click "Use this."
You'll notice a message saying "Device Proctoring Started," and a red "End Session" button will appear. This means that your setup was successful, and you're ready to play in an online prize event.
After you're done playing, you can end the session at any time by clicking the red "End Session" button and closing the Proctor browser. Once you do this, you'll have to wait for a few seconds while the session is closed. You'll see a message on your phone saying, "Your session has ended. You may now close this page," which confirms you're no longer being recorded.
How To Livestream Using Proctor
Proctor won't let you select and connect a camera if you're already using it on your broadcasting software. Therefore, you'll need to set up a "virtual camera" to connect it with Proctor.
If you're using OBS, you can set up a virtual camera without installing any additional software. You can do this by following this guide. If you're using Streamlabs, please follow this guide.
Competitive Events Policy And Privacy Policy
Use of Proctor is covered here in our Competitive Events Policy and our Privacy Policy.
Thank you for supporting our events and efforts to protect the community by using Proctor! If you have any questions, please reach out to our support team.
