I'm not sure about endgame tablebases being in the rules.
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http://support.chess.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=view&parentcategoryid=6&pcid=0&nav=0
Endgame Tablebases
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Feb 5, 2009
0
#2
Opening databases are okay.
Endgame table-bases are def illegal.
Yeah, no way are you allowed to use them. An endgame tablebase tells you the moves to win from a specific endgame. . . the opening database pretty much only shows what moves aren't blunders.
Feb 5, 2009
0
#5
Although, in fairness to the person that is using them, it looks like a genuine mistake on their part. It could be easily understood that opening databases - game databases and endgame tablebases are sort of the same thing. Also, there is nothing cloak and dagger about it, they state their exact playing preferences, which is a good thing :)
Feb 6, 2009
0
#6
The Site Map - accessible from the link at the bottom of every page - now provides a fantastic overview of chess.com facilities. It still has two slight drawbacks though. First, it doesn't contain a simple presentation of the rules e.g.
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Resource |
What is it? |
Is it permitted DURING Turn-Based (and Vote Chess) play? |
Is it permitted DURING LiveChess play? |
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Asking another person for advice |
Includes discussing a game-in-progress in the chess.com Forums |
NO* (except during VoteChess - when discussion WITHIN the team is expected) |
NO |
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Books |
This is a static resource and involves no calculation of best move. |
YES |
NO |
|
Chess Engine (chess computer) the move evaluator within e.g.Fritz, ChessMaster, etc. |
Software (or free-standing gadget) that calculates thebest move from a given position |
NO (except by agreement of both players, where specifically arranged and must be UNRATEDgames e.g. in a tournament created for that purpose) |
NO |
|
Conditional Moves (Pre-Moves) |
Setting your response in advance to one or more of your opponent’s moves |
YES |
YES |
|
Internet articles; Google searches |
This is a static resource and involves no calculation of best move. |
YES |
NO |
|
Games Database e.g. chess.com’s Game Explorer |
A database (or collection) of previous games, that is searchable. It is most useful as an Opening Database. (ForVote Chess games, the Explore button takes you directly into Game Explorerat that position. Forturn-based games, the click theAnalyse button followed byExplore). |
YES* (There is some debate about whether DBs containing engine-engine games are permitted). |
NO |
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Separate board for analysis e.g. chess.com’s Analysis Board |
|
YES |
NO |
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TableBases (Endings Database) |
The results from an analysis of end games (stored in a database) in which the sequence of moves to achieve the best outcome has been calculated |
NO |
NO |
http://support.chess.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=17&nav=0,6
ARTREF: WHAT IS ALLOWED
Secondly, the bottom-of-page links are largely out of sight, and hence, out of mind. As was pointed out here ... http://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/chesscom-feature-request-and-wishlist-4?page=16 ...
Very few people are aware of [THESE LINKS] until they are pointed out by someone else. There is seldom a need to scroll to the bottom of the screen. Would it be a good idea to provide a copy of these bottom-of-page links as a dropdown menu to a new command toolbar item EXTRAS at the TOP of every page - alongside PLAY LEARN READ etc. ?
Chess.com used to make a one-paragraph statement of the rules in the FAQs, which specifically outlawed tablebases but made clear that databases were okay. I saved it in a note to myself:
"You many only have ONE Chess.com member account. You may NOT get any help from any person or any chess engine throughout the course of a game, including tablebases. You MAY use books, magazines, or other articles. You may also use computer databases (including Chess.com's Game Explorer). EXCEPTION: If both players agree for the use of a chess engine in an UNRATED game then it can be allowed."
However, IF you can dig deep enough to find it, you now find this instead:
"You many only have ONE Chess.com member account. You may NOT get any help from any person or any chess engine throughout the course of a game, including tablebases. You MAY use books, magazines, or other articles. You may also use computer databases (i" (Sic.)
It now cuts off in mid-sentence, just as immediately above. It answers the current question about tablebases, but it unfortunately contains this typo-type error.
I agree with Art that there needs to be a clear, simple statement of the rules for both Live and CC (i.e., "Turn-Based" [where did that new and confusing term come from anyway--isn't all chess is based on taking turns?] chess) that people can actually find. Somewhere right up front, not buried under several layers of links like it is now.
The need for this is pretty clear, I think, from the fact that people keep asking very basic questions about what is legal and what isn't.
Erik and his staff are so conscientious about this fantastic website, I'm sure they will want to clarify the rules for everybody using it, once the need is pointed out.
is it legal to use these on chess.com? One guy I played ahwile back said it is. I checked his profile today---hasnt lost a game. I thought tablebases provied the solution to the game.
Here's an exact quote form the guy's profile:
"Improving player with much to improve on, quite impromptu, likes to improvise, but not too improvident! :) Please be warned that this player KNOWS limited openings, but is AWARE of database-consulting being ALLOWED, so may resort to them from time to time. Also, in endgames, he WILL use Endgame Tablebases TO HIS ADVANTAGE, i.e., he WILL use one to win or draw a certain ending, but WOULD NOT point out a draw or a loss to opponents. Apart from digging through opening and endgame databases, he seeks NO further outside help, you have his word on this. :)"