linear_coder's blog

Cheating in contests
By linear_coder, 9 months ago, In English

Hi all,

I was struggling to solve Problem C in today's contest (Round 926) and I observed sudden rise in number of ACs for the problem C. I felt something fishy and when I just searched "Codeforces Round 926 Problem C" on youtube, I saw this video (you can send me a message if you'd like the link to report the channel) which had solution for the problem. It was uploaded when the contest was live. There are many such videos like this. The video has gained 1.5K views even before the contest ended.

To my surprise, the code in that video has the correct code for the problem (I tried submitting after the contest). This wasn't enough, The video description has a link for telegram channel, where they have shared the solution for previous contests as well.

I understand it is difficult to identify cheaters and take action. We as a community should do something about cheating in contests, for time being what we can do is report these channels on youtube and telegram. I request @MikeMirzayanov to take some action(if possible)

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9 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +51 Vote: I do not like it

I wonder why cheat-busting blogs are never(as I never encountered one) written by people having ratings >=1600.

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    9 months ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +54 Vote: I do not like it

    The reason for that is folks having rating >= 1600 get ACs before the solutions appear on these online forums. So, even if there is cheating in a contest their standing is not affected much.

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      9 months ago, # ^ |
      ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +12 Vote: I do not like it

      True + They know that other's cheating won't affect their current skills.

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    9 months ago, # ^ |
    ← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

    I usually don't rant but here's one:

    The reason they don't cares about cheating if they are blue or above, They can easily outplay them. Now the question arises for those who complain : is it a skill issue, yes and also no. As I started solving C during contest and find it extremely difficult to solve, and sometime I am also unable to solve it. Then when I practice Problem C from the past contest I find it the same and after some struggle I solve them (usually). Now the question is the rating of those problems are (1400-1700) but rating of problem C these day or even a year back would be merely 1300, why? To me its just more people cheat. and makes it extremely difficult for pupils and cyans to climb, well you will one day outplay them for sure but till them its just annoying. And its mostly certain countries whose dumb population is ruining the fun. You can continue your life, nothing gonna change. I heard someone a year back saying that the best solution to the problem is to be better and outplay them, No ones gonna solve your problem except you.

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      9 months ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

      Honestly speaking, For me: Title is just colors coz I literally enjoy the chills during the Contest. Getting AC or WA is a different thing.

      Just the state of mind, What I think is if I have to walk this road? Then Why not Enjoy the journey rather than Craving for Destination of some colors or titles.

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9 months ago, # |
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But unintentionally you just shared the link of the youtube and the telegram channel, there are going to be more cheaters now. Please remove the links.

UPD: The links are removed.

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9 months ago, # |
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One of the biggest issue on codeforces. I think there should be a report option so we can report such users .

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9 months ago, # |
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Thank you for speaking out against cheating and for your commitment to maintaining the integrity of these contests.

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9 months ago, # |
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This video change fair by Codeforces for everyone.

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9 months ago, # |
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There are also some cheaters from my country (Azerbaijan :heart:). I don't want to get assassinated by them in the our NOI's semifinal. I will create blog-post about them after 17/02/2024.

And also, can someone explain me solution of the C ? I really don't understand the idea, are we trying to find the worst case after first good case or smth ?

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    9 months ago, # ^ |
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    The import thing is that the amount you spend goes up until you win, so that when you win the amount of money on the winning turn outplay the money lost from previous turns.

    P/s: I don't play casino because it is pretty bad, so I have to spend 40 min to come up with this observation, later than the cheater's , even though i'm blue(my main acc).

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      9 months ago, # ^ |
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      Yep, Thanks for good explanation. This was the first casino problem I encountered, I was having trouble with how to code it but now I fixed it. Thanks again.

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    9 months ago, # ^ |
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    Here is a strategy called "Martingale".It means when you are win,you need to earn the money that you lost before.Therefore,you need add as less as money that if you win,you will earn the lost money.

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      9 months ago, # ^ |
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      Thanks fr, I found that idea but couldn't figure out how to code it.

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9 months ago, # |
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I also cheat problem C. And I have regret for doing that. I have one recommendation, if someone cheet then rating must be decreased to before the last contest. I get a message, and the problems get skipped but my rating is remain same. I just one request add this functionality to decrease the rating to before. And I will never cheat again.

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