Originally Posted by Ian CCC
I think the rule is actually very sensible. Before this rule came in, some players used to write down alternative moves for their next move and then mentally check through each alternative before deciding on their move.
What you are describing was already against the laws of chess prior to the new 2005 law of chess requiring writing the move down after the move was played. As such the new law is irrelevant to the situation you describe.
Originally Posted by Ian CCC
They then crossed out the alternatives on their scoresheet and finally played their move. They were therefore using their scoresheet as an aid to their thinking process.
This is against the laws of chess and has been for ages.
Originally Posted by Ian CCC
There was nothing to stop players writing down not just possible moves, but also variations - they could always claim that they were just writing down a possible next move and made a mistake.
This claim that there was nothing to stop them acting like this is just rubbish.
Such behaviour has always been against the laws of chess.
The player needs to just stop his clock and summon the arbiter and report the behaviour.
Originally Posted by Ian CCC
I suppose it could be argued that the situation was equal for both players, but it goes against the principle that players should not use an aid to assist their thinking and also resulted in some very messy and often illegible scoresheets.
Making notes etc during the game has always been against the Laws of Chess.