I thought it was great when I discovered the analysis board, and my rating went up.  But it seems to have hurt (or at the very least not help) my OTB games.  So, I decided to not use the analysis board any more, unfortunately my rating is suffering now.  Do you use the analysis board, and what has it done for you?

I do use the analysis board but only to check out a move that I intend to use to see if i end up in the position i believe will follow, to check that i havent miss calculated the end position.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/analysis-board---good-or-bad-for-your-chess

 

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/how-to-use-the-analysis-board 

 

 A few people shared their opinions on your question in those threads.

 

bradyj wrote:

I thought it was great when I discovered the analysis board, and my rating went up.  But it seems to have hurt (or at the very least not help) my OTB games.  So, I decided to not use the analysis board any more, unfortunately my rating is suffering now.  Do you use the analysis board, and what has it done for you?

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 I think it depends on why you play here. If you wish to become very good at this style of chess (correspondence, turn based, call it what you like) then the analysis board is essential. However, if you are using this as practice for standard OTB chess then the analysis board will probably not be beneficial. When (if) the live chess feature is introduced properly this probably won't be an issue any more - youy will be able to play both styles of chess in one place.

As I once said elsewhere, yes, in theory, the analysis board does facilitate something pretty close to cheating, at least by the usual standards of correspondence chess.  Don't get me wrong:  There's nothing unethical about using an analysis board per se.  But as it's implemented here at chess.com, it's more than just a way to move pieces around visually.  This particular board is also 'smart' enough to disallow illegal moves, thus showing you something you might not have seen.

 

Say, for instance, you were considering a line that (you thought) lead to a tasty Knight fork, but what you didn't notice was that the line resulted in your Knight being pinned to the King at the crucial moment.  Just being able to move pieces around on a real (wooden) chessboard may or may not clarify that for the player, but the analysis board here DEFINITELY will, by actually preventing the player from moving the Knight.  That amounts to information from an outside source in my view.

 

I should also say that I'm not enough of a purist to be particularly offended by this; I just think it's interesting.  In theory, any game is fair as long as both sides have the same arsenal of tools to employ in battle.  :-) 

Interesting point DeepGreene, although I don't suppose such an instance would crop up very frequently.  I suppose the analysis board could be made not to recognise illegal moves if people thought this was an issue, but as you say, it's the same for both sides and I don't think it's really an issue.

I agree that use of the analysis board here is not cheating.  That being said I do my best to resist using it for the reason to which the original poster alluded.  I need to improve my calculation skills and use of the analysis board stunts that growth.  In other words it's a crutch I need to learn to walk without.

I use the analysis board occassionally, but am trying to wean myself off it. I think it is important for you to be able to visualise in your head if you want to improve your chess OTB.

I've found the tactics trainer has helped me think further ahead without the analysis board.

I also agree with DeepGreene on the point of illegal moves. You should be able to make them on the analysis board!

yes use your head!

I never use the analysis board, as I prefer to hone the mental calculation abilities I am forced to use on the board, when I can longer augment my play with the Analysis Board.

If they didn't have the analysis board here I'd just play out the moves on an actual chess set if I really felt the need, so it just saves the time of having to set up the position.  I like it.  Personally I don't think it affects my OTB abilities.

I figure it would kind of cool to achieve a high rank using my head against anyone on this site using whatever they want to use.  A kind of dream I know, but a day dream that makes one imagine what it was to beat big blue...

DeepGreene's point about having the same arsenal of tools is an interesting one.  Along with setting whether you take one day, two days, etc, why not have chess.com also allow you to have a analysis board on/off feature and a pledge tick box to "keep it real"?  

It isn't a full guarantee, but a real cheater (ie goes against agreed rules) always shuns the light and giving someone your word is a little bright for many on the dark side.... ;-)

I'm completely neutral to whether it's cheating or not... I don't use it for the simple reason that i think it spoils all the fun... That's where i stand!

/Thank's 

 

i dont use it at all it enhances you beyond your or at least my usual ability you can assess positions way in the future which with just your own brain you might not reach.

Please all forget about the analysis board, it diminishes the excitement of IMAGINATION.

cianlloyd wrote: I do use the analysis board but only to check out a move that I intend to use to see if i end up in the position i believe will follow, to check that i havent miss calculated the end position.

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Isn't that like using a computer to check out moves to see what the end is likely to be, and whether or not it is worth playing on? 

The title of this thread is

"Is the analysis board cheating?"

 The answer is clearly No. Cheating is using an unfair advantage. There is no unfair advantage here as every player has access to an analysis board. Whether a player uses it or not is up to them.

Personally, I don't see any harm in it. As long as you're not surprised if you suddenly find things a little harder OTB.

We are talking here in an unreal environment where every player, if they chose, has access to chess engines. So I don't think using a chess computer is "cheating" either. All it does is make a mockery of why you're spending time here.

 

If you're rating means a lot to you, fair enough. If having fun or learning means more, go down that path. But please, let's stop the naval gazing and soul searching. After all, it's only a chess website.

 

P.S.

When I am sober in the morning I will deny writing this. Just in case. 

No! The analysis board (AB) is NOT cheating in correspondence chess (CC). But I agree it makes your brain lazy for calculating in OTB games and it might also help you to find a pin (or other situation) that you might have overlooked. The analysis board makes calculating easier but it does not suggest strategy or which line is best to play. It still takes imagination and creativity and understanding and knowledge and experience to look for the lines you choose to study using the AB. I don't play OTB - only CC type games. I play them for pleasure and I love to study chess from books and from the positions that arise in my games. My opponent has the same opportunity to use the same tools as I do - so the playing field is level. But I never let an engine suggest a move until the game is over and I'm looking to see where I went wrong or could have done better. I don't get anything when I win but a wonderful feeling of satisfaction that I've done my best and it worked.

i don't think it is cheating. it's simply a tool to improve your game. if it's all about the rating for some people then that's ok for them. there are days i've had that i care about the rating. what i truly care about more is to learn how to play better. the analysis board is one tool that helps me play better.

 

 I have to agree, some people have a hard time keeping up with their calculations without setting up a seperate board and that's ok with me. I mean it's not like you are using a computer or getting outside help it is still your moves that are being played.Besides as hitorque said i am more concerned with improving my game