Recording Moves

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underoath11

Hey, I'm new to the game and I just started going to clubs about a week ago. If I bring a notebook to record my moves will I look like a fruitcake?  Also, will it really be worth the time if we're playing G/15's?


Phil_from_Blayney

It is well recognised that analysing your own games is one of the best learning tools available to a chess player. You will be advancing your own learning, so what does it matter what you look like!

It may be difficult to record the whole game in G/15 but you should be able to record enough to enable you to learn sufficiently from it.


likesforests

underoath, lol, recording your moves shouldn't mark you as a fruitcake. I try to record my moves in any game above G/5, even casual ones. And yes, G/15 is slow enough there should be some lessons to learn from the game. You can always stop when time runs low. In rated games, you'll usually stop when you have 5 minutes left.


sstteevveenn
I would think there's a good chance your club would be able to provide you with a scorebook, or at least scoresheets. 
underoath11
Okay thanks. Yeah I guess if I feel stretched for time I could stop.
littleman
I dont record games under G/30 because i like to have time to look at the board more and recording ur moves can take minutes off u in no time but thats my choice. Always record your games and most importantly study over the games later properly to improve any mistakes regardless of wether u lost the game or not....Cool
Graw81

Hey underoath11

It is common here in Ireland in all chess clubs that players record the games that they play in their local club so im sure you wont look like a fruitcake. The chess club most likely provides scoresheets (record sheets, whatever you wish to call them)so you probably wont have to bring your own but if you have a scorebook bring it along just in case. It is best to record all your games even if you are a beginner or master. There are always improvements to be found so find them before the other guy does! 

I would suggest recording your moves in all time controls except games less than 20min each. When you are playing longer games i would advise to stop recording moves when you hit the 5min left mark. You dont wont to let your flag drop!

A tip on recording moves in games with only 20mins or so, even if you take down the opening thats enough. You can then check what you played against what an opening encyclopedia like NCO or MCO or even a program such as Fritz opening book. You might be surprised on what you or your opponent missed.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.... ya fruitcake! Tongue out


Billium248
Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is G/5, 15, 30.  I'm guessing from context that this is the maximum time length of the game.  Is this per player?  I.e. a G/5 could be a 10 minute game (each player with 5 minutes total to think)?  This is what those clocks that I see people in the movies hitting are all about, right?  (never actually seen a chess clock in real life).
likesforests

Billium, a G/30 time control means each player starts with 30 minutes on their clock and must make all of their moves in that time, so the game lasts upto 1 hour. After you move you press the button so the clock knows whose turn it is.


Billium248
Got it.  Thanx.
BrooksJ
USCF games require you to record your moves. So, no you won't look dumb at all.
GreenLaser
likeforests wrote, "You can always stop when time runs low." In the US, this means when either player has under 5 minutes left, neither is required to keep score. Without a score, certain claims are not valid, such as repetitions.
snowboardk716
burp☺☻
ponar
seems like a good idea :)
maniac2008
yea i think ur club would provide u with a scorecard if u ask ... or just take a notebook... im sure it wont do any harm
ponar

when i play chess live (not on computer) i almost always record because it helps me with my learning. u sure wont look like a fruitcake :)


benztoyz

Recording your games is the best thing you can do especially if you're trying to get better. I think it should be a requirement in all slow games, especally tournament play.

Nf6

hey chess friend

Firstly we are all chess nerds (it's a geeky game) so if anyone laughs at you ignore them.

secondly I always write my moves down even in 30minute games, i get funny looks but I can record 3/4 of the game before the position deems otherwise

hope this helps

regards ian