With clashes over truth, lies and exaggerations dominating the prelude to the first presidential debate, The New York Times has assembled a team of at least 18 fact-checkers for Monday night, drawing on the expertise of some of our most seasoned reporters. (Here’s our live analysis and video of the debate, highlights and fact checks.)

These reporters will assess the accuracy of assertions made by either candidate, or by the moderator, in real time as the debate unfolds, with an aim of posting each fact check within five minutes of the statement’s being made.

The fact-check operation is an important dimension of an expansive coverage plan for the debate, which begins at 9 p.m. The Times will stream the debate live on its home page and will provide real-time analysis from our regular team of reporters on political debates: Maggie Haberman, Nicholas Confessore, Adam Nagourney and Alan Rappeport.

We will also provide continually updated highlights for those joining the debate after it has begun.