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**Just2Good** · 03-01-2009, 03:24 PM

An interesting article on The Closet Grandmaster appeared recently:

Article 8 of the official Laws of Chess reads: "In the course of play each player is required to record his own moves and those of his opponent in the correct manner, move after move, as clearly and legibly as possible, in the algebraic notation (Appendix E), on the ‘scoresheet’ prescribed for the competition. It is forbidden to write the moves in advance, unless the player is claiming a draw according to Article 9.2 or 9.3 [my emphasis]."

I don't know about you but I've always had a problem with that last bolded bit. Of course, I follow the rule, but prior to its introduction my method was to first write down a move before actually playing it. And yes, many a times back then I would re-examine the position, thought for a little more, then changed what I wrote. It is apparently exactly this kind of behaviour that the rule is designed to prevent for, as some would say, it's tantamount to cheating.

* expletive deleted*

If it's a product of my own thinking process, how in the hec is it cheating? Honestly, it's a total joke.

Firstly, I agree with Amiel concerning this. I don't see how this practice is cheating as it offers nothing of value or benefit to your opponent nor to yourself. Its like saying drinking coffee during your game is cheating.

Maybe there is an argument that if your opponent sees you write down a move, he will then turn his mind to lines associated with that move - and then if you play something else his time has been wasted.

However, in regards to this I think that if someone is audacious enough to look at his opponent's score sheet during the game, then if he is lead astray in his thinking as a result it is his own fault.

Clearly an example of a rule that should be scrapped.

03-01-2009, 03:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,056 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Writing Down Your Move Rule An interesting article on The Closet Grandmaster appeared recently: Article 8 of the official Laws of Chess reads: "In the course of play each player is required to record his own moves and those of his opponent in the correct manner, move after move, as clearly and legibly as possible, in the algebraic notation (Appendix E), on the ‘scoresheet’ prescribed for the competition. It is forbidden to write the moves in advance, unless the player is claiming a draw according to Article 9.2 or 9.3 [my emphasis]." I don't know about you but I've always had a problem with that last bolded bit. Of course, I follow the rule, but prior to its introduction my method was to first write down a move before actually playing it. And yes, many a times back then I would re-examine the position, thought for a little more, then changed what I wrote. It is apparently exactly this kind of behaviour that the rule is designed to prevent for, as some would say, it's tantamount to cheating. * expletive deleted* If it's a product of my own thinking process, how in the hec is it cheating? Honestly, it's a total joke. Firstly, I agree with Amiel concerning this. I don't see how this practice is cheating as it offers nothing of value or benefit to your opponent nor to yourself. Its like saying drinking coffee during your game is cheating. Maybe there is an argument that if your opponent sees you write down a move, he will then turn his mind to lines associated with that move - and then if you play something else his time has been wasted. However, in regards to this I think that if someone is audacious enough to look at his opponent's score sheet during the game, then if he is lead astray in his thinking as a result it is his own fault. Clearly an example of a rule that should be scrapped. __________________ . "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." ~ Buckminster Fuller ~