Should opening books be allowed?

That game we played was many moons ago and no I didn't but I have been doing more recently.

Besides I do not feel one tiny bit guilty for using a database for the one and only reason my opponent has the option of doing the same!!

1. book lines only get you so far

2. you have to understand the opening, not just know the moves, in order to play an opening profitably

case in point: in this game I get schooled in the 2 knights' opening, despite the "advantage" of knowing theory up to move 11 or so.  It would have been much better for me to have played a less critical line, in which the theory isn't known:

3. it is still a lively contest in online chess even if one or both players use an opening book

4. it's a good way to learn openings in preparation for OTB play (a lot more interesting than just memorizing a line in a non-competitive situation

A-MEN 

what?

chess is chess ... 

over the board chess has 1 set of rules while cc has another set of rules 

Why is that so hard to understand??

played yerself suckers 

wow it was only a picture of a horse laughing?? 

Please keep the forum thread to the original topic. It was really getting out of control.

Someone did not like the truth!

Copyright infringement, blackfirestorm666. The horse called chess.com.

Well yes I do agree but when people come into these forums accusing players of cheating because they use a database how is that allowed??

Or is it just the privileged few that get away with comments like that 

Not sure but to me that looks like a blatant attack on anyone using a database??

Donna, I think I remember YOU were warned by chess.com for using an unauthorised database and they were going to get rid of you but let you stay because you said sorry and would not use it again! so you are not as clean as you make out are you!

Well excuse me but I have stopped using that particular database and am now using the games explorer as provided here on this site.

You got a problem with that???????????????

Yes well AnthonyCG when someone accuses me of cheating here on chess.com because I use a tool that chess.com themselves provide then am I suppose to sit back and say fine???

And just to clarify this Bill I was NEVER gave a warning for using that database seeing as it was me that showed it to them and asked!!!!!

BABS and many many other group leaders also used that database for vote chess so don't come in here telling me that I was ready to be booted for cheating!!!! 

Unless you know something I don't????????????????????????????????????

You say what you want Donna and read as many chess books and use every database you want to, I dont care because I will never play you or let you play in one of my teams I would not want any of my members using help to win a game of chess that should be fun and players trusting each other to play fairly, that is my last  comment on the subject.