JS,
It isn't acceptable to have an open chess program (Chessbase, Fritz, Rybka, etc) and access it, in any way, during your games. We believe that online chess (Live Chess in particular) should be treated like a tournament game (over the board tournament that is):
You would not be allowed to make any notes, access any information (article, program, etc) of any kind during a tournament game. You aren't even allowed to discuss the game with a buddy in the bathroom, technically.
It isn't possible for us to control or monitor all forms of cheating, and obviously I can't discuss our methods here. But, if I am simply answering your question as to what is acceptable -- then you have it: The only form of analysis or note making of any kind should take place in post-mortem analysis. In Echess, like correspondence chess in "real life", analysis and note making is more acceptable and actually the standard for most people; however, computer engine analysis is still forbidden even in that format.
I will look into whether or not we have an article with the exact rules and regulations, because if you are confused, I am sure there are others... I will let you know.
Hope that helps!
Danny
Hello fellow Chess.com members and staff!
I hope you are all doing well!
I asked a question similar to this a while back, and got some decent responses.
However, while I never use a chess engine while playing tournaments, obviously, I'm afraid to even OPEN my engine, even to play and analyze completely unrelated games to the one's I'm currently active in.
The problem is I, as many others, have preffered openings which stands to reason, that these openings are not only being played in tourney's, but also in practice analysis sessions with my engines to get better.
So, I'm confused as to exactly WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE???
Obviously, there's the obvious cheating by setting up a position that your cuurently playing and then starting the engine to find the optimal move. I clearly understand THAT.
The confusion comes in the form of the above.
PRACTICE GAMES THAT INEVIDABLY EITHER PLAY RIGHT OUT INTO A CURRENT GAME, OR TRANSPOSE INTO THAT CURRENT GAME. ???
What to do?
Am I allowed to SAVE MY THOUGHT OUT variations in my tourney games as .pgn's??? I'm putting alot of time PER GAME, and to continuosly have to "start all over again" is extremely time consuming, as I cannot remember all of my thoughts as the games move on. OR do I have to save them in my "Notes" section of the individual games?
Can I save the .pgn's and play them out in my GUI WITHOUT THE AID OF TURNING ON AN ENGINE? ETC...ETC...???
I feel like somehow by playing in these tournaments that I'm never able to properly analyze my games BECAUSE OTHER GAMES ARE BEING PLAYED AND DON'T WANT TO "CHEAT" BY ACCIDENT.
Therefore, I'm never able to use my engine it seems when ANY GAME is being played, which is keeping me from joining many tournies I'd like to play.
NO GAMES=ABILITY TO USE ENGINES FOR ANALYSIS AND PROGRESS.
Withgout going on and on, I believe I've pretty much stated the concerns and reasons for my dilemma here.
Maybe I missed it, but is there a post, link, or permanent sticky from the Chess.com admins/pros that give EXACT rules and answers to EXACTLY WHAT the acceptable and unnacceptable rules are?
I've even stopped using my GUI and Engines to practice learning from my openings.pgn.
ANY info, answers, scenarios, both accepatable and unacceptable is greatly needed for me to know for sure what I can do, and what I cannot do.
I apologize for the length of this post, but didn't want to be vague in any way to have to ask again. :)
Please help!
Thanks all!
-BrootFaus/JS