Originally Posted by Ian CCC
I thank you for your comment, Bill. However, just because it was against the rules to use the scoresheet as an aid, does not mean that it was not used as such.
Then that is not a problem with the rules as they were but the fault of the player for not raising the matter with the arbiter as the action was always illegal.
Originally Posted by Ian CCC
In the distant past (the 1970s) some players used to write down a number of alternatives before deciding on a final move. None of those players, to my knowledge, were denounced for illegal behaviour. Presumably the laws have been refined over the years to outlaw this practice.
That behaviour has always been illegal even under the Laws of Chess in place during the 1970's as it is simply a case of making notes.
Originally Posted by Ian CCC
I do not know what the laws were before 2005 (having only returned to chess recently), however I assume that a move was not completed until a piece had been released onto a square. Therefore a player could write down a move and, before moving a piece, choose to change the written move any number of times before actually making the move on the board.
No that behaviour is equivalent to taking notes and is not permitted by the laws of chess.
Originally Posted by Ian CCC
The player would then have a list of alternative moves in front of them (albeit crossed out) before actually playing a move. This behaviour would have been considered illegal if done for the purpose of aiding thought, but presumably it would have required the arbiter to make a judgement that that was the purpose.
That behaviour is clearly illegal and always has been.
Originally Posted by Ian CCC
This law makes it clear that the move must be written down after the move is completed on the board and avoids this situation.
But the previous behaviour you are describing has alway been illegal. Hence the current law has no bearing.