When I play chess online I keep alot of notes and I also use a real board where I "try out" moves. It helps me thinking ahead in the game since I get a hard time keeping it all in my head. Now I'm starting to wonder if this is concidered cheating or unfair since I feel like part of the game is to be able to think ahead using only your own head. What do you think?

In correspondence chess it's allowed. It's not allowed in over the board chess.

this is definitely NOT cheating.    An analysis board is offered for us during these games; so a chess board is certainly okay. as far as the notes, we're allowed to use books so notes must be okay as well.  now some people say we should play with no outside assistance at all; it up to the individual.  we are definitely NOT allowed to use chess engines or to get advice from a person during a game. 

I don't think that's cheating, as long as you're the one who analyzes the play, not some other friend or a computer.  This site provides an analysis board (under the moves tab) so you don't have to setup the actual board.

freeznyr, Thanks alot that feels alot better. Of course I'm not getting help from someone else or a chess engine. All I use is a note book and a chess board.

 

Loomis, This is part of why I'm trying to get rid of this habbit. I play OTB pretty bad compared to CC. 

In correspondence chess, you're allowed to use an analysis board, books, and even game databases (not endgame tables, no computer engines, and no advice from other players).  I use it to learn my openings and analyze the resulting positions in order to be a stronger over-the-board player.

i dont think you can cheat but if your playing more experianced people or the super computer it would be unfair in skill or experiance

If you are really only 17 and don't cheat you are really very talented.

Actually I'm 18 since 4 days back. It still says I'm 17? Anyway I don't think the rating here reflects my real rating very well. It's a big difference betwen OTB and CC.

I saw some your wins.What is your fide rating?

I invite you on tournament GM Mikhail Tal Memorial.It is knock out tournament for 32 players.

I've actually never played anything official. I live in a city with a big university so there's alot of inofficial tournaments here that I've played in. Besides that I almost only play online and sometimes with friends I've made at the OTB games.

I created tournament on chess.com.See topic in forum.If you are interest write your rating in topic GM Mikhail Tal.

Anyway you should start going on tournaments.

I saw and I was concidering it but I'll be pretty busy over the next few weeks so I think I'm gonna have to pass this one. Don't want chess to affect my homework more than it already is.

You have right

But I hope so you will start soon going on tournaments and one day become titled player.

no books !

Cheating is having an unfair advantage. As everyone on this site has access to an analysis board, you're in the clear.

I think books is allowed but it is again cheating.It is my opinion. I play with one opponent who use chess book.He said that he can't memorize some variations.I think it is not fair.