This question has probably been asked a million times, but what resources are legal during an online game (not live). Can you consult game explorer? I assume not a game computer program. Please advise.

books, dbases, explorer, analysis board.

not allowed are chess engines, advice from friends

It is my opinion that anyone playing on line chess should do so without any reference to books, computer programs or the advise of others.   A player's  moves must be of his/her own making.   Anything else cheats the opponent as well as one's self.

Please see http://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/cheating-at-chess-on-chesscom---questions-and-answers for everything you need to know.

I have been a member of this site for about 6 months now. During that time I have lost count of the times that an innocent question like yours (asked in good fiath) results in a huge thread and debate on this forum about whether it is legal or not to use Game Explorer. All I can say, is that I hope that doesn't happen again!!

However, to answer your question it is perfectly reasonable, moral and within-the-laws to use Game Explorer whilst playing games here. It is also possible to consult books and databases of games. It is not legal to consult another player for advice or to submit your game to analysis by a chess engine whilst the game is on-going. After the game is over, of course, its quite common and normal to have the game analysed and in fact chess.com provides a faclity to do that.

Thanks much!

Except this is correspondence chess, and in correspondence chess, you are allowed to correspond the some things. And, chess.com can make up whatever rule thay want. Also, most people don't appreciate anyone who posts in all bold.

I use the analysis board. It helps me to avoid mistakes.

But i don't think it's ok to use books, dbases and explorer. The thinkwork should be your own. Otherwise the guy (or girl) with te biggest libary has a big advantage.

 This is exactly what I am talking about. It may be your opinion, Schleppi. But what is important here, and what the original question asked, is whether it is legal. If the poster had asked whether people think engines should be allowed then your answer would be ideal for that question. But as it is, it is irrelevant. Why does it bother me? Because it can confuse people who are new to the site who then feel they should not be using Game Explorer (for example) and then miss out on a very useful and fun feature of chess.com.  

It is legal to use Game Explorer, books, and databases. If you don't like this please consider going to join a chess site with rules that more closely match your own position.

Use Live Chess - using databases and books are illegal there as it is not corrospondence chess (though impossible to say whether anyone is doing it or not).

By the time most amatures make their way through a game THERE IS NO game explorer for their positions...

Listen don't be ashamed of using references. EVERYONE, even the ones that say they don't will use them.

If you are playing a game with a 3 day move time limit, what do you think happens when you go play a different game and you play a similar opening? You get more knowledge for when you go back to that very same game you started beforehand.

And what about an opening book that you are trying to study? Say you are trying to learn more on the Ruy Lopez, say you already made your move 1e4 and you are waiting for your oponnent to make his move within the 3 days.... Are you not allowed to look at your book until the guy has already made his moves to make the book irrelevant.

Please stop with the stubbornness guys. It's all fun and game and even you Nay sayers do it unless you have no care for improving your game. 

i remember when i used my scientific calculator instead of the permited "calculus ruler" in my trigonometrics exams in the late 60s. my teacher gave me a huge lecture on ethics and called a cheater and forecasted my total ineptitude to master maths. i never believed him! for some reason we advanced tecnologically every day. Chess on line exist so we can use all the gadgets to compite with contenders who aill be always better and worst than us!