Is using an opening book unfair when playing online ?

Sometimes I refer to a textbook, a file of games I've collected, or my notes during an online game. Is this considered fair ?

Good question, I am far from sure that in tournaments such is not allowed. I have been with chess.com for a while and see that they have taken much away that used to be available, but like I say, I am not sure. There is surely a set of rules which is published that would offer up more on said subject than I am able.

Thanks for the response 1776, although the issue is still in limbo. I'm surprised that one of the pooh-bahs, like Stahl, did not jump in. Anyone else out there ?

For normal chess, it's consider cheating if you do it in a rated game.

For correspondence chess (known as "Daily" on Chess.com), some aids are allowed, including books.

You can search the extensive knowledge base for more details about the website's rules. Here is the article about cheating:

https://support.chess.com/en/articles/8583921-what-counts-as-cheating-on-chess-com

That's like looking at revision notes during an exam (it's considered cheating stop doing it)

Opening books are allowed in Daily chess.

In fact I reference chessbase database during games.

It's obviously cheating.

Also, verbally abusing a moderator is a great idea. On any other site you'd be banned in a flash, but of course on chess.com nothing will happen.