Hey everyone. I'm just curious about this since I've recently been accused of having an 'attitude' as a result of selecting conditional moves in a particular game.

If I have time, I tend to select two or three moves in advance down several lines of play. Primarily, I do this so that I won't forget whatever sequence I had in mind when my next move rolls around. Since that could be several days later, my forgetting what I had planned is a real possibility and has happened several times when I have not set up conditional moves. I purchased a premium membership in large part so that I could this problem and preset the alternate moves I had in mind.

However, I could see how someone might find their opponent having several conditional moves set up in correspondence chess annoying or possibly even offensive if every time they move they find a conditional response has already been planned.

Thoughts?

I don't think it's offensive.

Not offensive at all. I personally like using conditional moves and when they are used against me as this makes the game go faster.

Although you can write down your ideas in the "notes" tab if you don't want to use conditionals.

I pray that I get matched up against opponents who can be thrown off their game simply by my making moves.

Conditional moves have always been a part of CC chess, from snail mail to internet chess. Sometimes your opponent's move is forced or at least 'highly likely' so why not think about a reply. As someone else has said it helps the game move faster. It's certainly not offensive. Written conditional moves are even used in OTB tournaments, although in slightly different circumstances.

i would say no, but anoying when i only could go in library computers every  3 days and half hourer acsess it ment making anouther move or losing on time

I agree with what people have said above, but I think there are some cases where it can be offensive-- for example if the player has not used conditional moves the whole game, even during long forced sequences and uses a conditional at the very end of the game to finish off with a mate or a material win. That is obviously something done for a specific reason.

Why would it mean losing on time? My understanding is that the time to reply is the same as it would be if the replying move was not conditional. Am I wrong about that?

Hydroxide, what is the specific reason?

Not offensive at all.  I know some people find them a bit unnerving, but they only help speed up online chess games... especially during those boring times (forced lines, obvious continuations and openings).  I am actually surprised more people don't use them -- including myself.  I sometimes use them, but I should use them more.  I guess I am lazy :p

Far from it -- your opponent should actually be grateful that you've spared them from having to wait for you to make your next move.

conditional moves - not offensive though - will no way help us improve your chess... it should be removed.. writing notes is enough

I don't think they are offensive, but they can psych a guy out. It gets you thinking "Wow, this guy knows what I am going to do before I do!"

I actually suspect that's why the adverse reaction in some cases -- it's an external projection of your opponent's frustration with his inability to find a plan that you do not also see.

I've played a few players who seem to have plugged in the MCO's worth of an opening line into a conditional move sequence.  I thought...well let me try a sideline variation that is certainly not main, but guess what? They plugged that in too (I'm talking 7-8 moves deep).

I only think this crosses a line of decency if said player has not memorized all of those variations and is instead plugging them from a repertoire source (online / book ) etc.

Well, since databases and opening books are allowed I don't really see the difference between manually copying moves and pre-entering them.  If there was a no database rule I could agree, but in this case there's really no difference aside from the increased speed of play.

In fact I've seen someone post a feature request here on chess.com that would allow so to construct our own opening books, so that the moves from the books would be played automatically when the game starts, in the same way as conditional moves. Basically what you saw but without having to enter all those lines again every new game. Skip the boring bit.

I often use conditional moves, becouse the game goes faster. Why not to do that if I know what my oponent will play...

Who thinks they are offensive?

I am curious what reasons they have.

Some people are just easily offended.

Must we always satisfy everyone?