Of course you should ask your opponent if he minds you doing this. It's technically an "artificial aid" even if you don't move the pieces around. Oh we've had threads about this before, so I'm out of here before it becomes cantankerous. Peace, Love, and Happiness everyone. 
It's just a silly rule, I don't really care what you do. Just don't play chess in the garage with an engine running. 
Convert Live Chess to Real, Over the Board Chess!
Sort:
hahahah not again!!! i stopped doing this
It is known to all that the position of the screen-chess-board is perceived very differently than that of real chess board. Many GMs also say that the rate of improvement in OTB chess is faster than that of Online Chess. Many go as far as to claim that Online Chess hampers and stagnates chess skills!
Therefore, I have devised (which, probably, is already discovered) an innovative way to play Live Chess.
Step 1. Before starting a game on Live Chess, arrange your own real chess board with real peices.
Step 2. Start a game on Live Chess.
Step 3. If it is your turn to move, first analyse in the real chess board, make a move there, and then do the same in Live Chess. When your opponent makes a move, reproduce it on the real chess board, analyse, make a move in the real chess board, and do the same in Live Chess!
Precaution: When you are low on time, move your pieces directly on the Live Chess board!
You will feel like you are playing an opponent OTB! It will also, according to some GMs, improve your chess skills!
NOTE- IT WILL BE IMPRACTICAL TO FOLLOW THE STEPS IN BLITZ/BULLET/RAPID etc. THIS METHOD IS PROVIDED FOR STANDARD TIME CONTROLS ONLY!