English Chess Forum

I have read, here on the forum, that is not allowed to record your move before you play it, as this is taken as making notes. My opponent last night was writing the time down after his moves. I am not moaning or anything like that as it didnt bother me at all, just thought it could be mistakenly taken for making notes.

Is this allowed?

Yes, writing down the times is allowed.

ok thanks Mike
Again I wasnt upset about it

I've had a look at the FIDE handbook and it states the following :-

FIDE wrote:It is forbidden to write the moves in advance, unless the player is claiming a draw according to Article 9.2, or 9.3 or adjourning a game according to the Guidelines of Adjourned Games point 1.a.

FIDE wrote:12.4 The scoresheet shall be used only for recording the moves, the times of the clocks, the offers of a draw, and matters relating to a claim and other relevant data.

I cannot see how recording times can be said to be "taking notes". Recording moves in advance is forbidden in itself and not "taking notes" as you have put it Warren Kingston.

FIDE wrote:12.4 The scoresheet shall be used only for recording the moves, the times of the clocks, the offers of a draw, and matters relating to a claim and other relevant data.

But who decides what relevant data is? Can I, for example:

1. Highlight on my scoresheet the last time a pawn moved, or a piece was captured, so it's easy for me to see when 50 moves have elapsed?
2. Indicate on my scoresheet that I, or my opponent, has moved my King or Rook and can no longer castle?
3. Indicate on my scoresheet that I, or my opponent, has played an illegal move, and will lose if it happens twice more?

My own view is that 3. is definitely OK; 1. is probably not acceptable; 2. is definitely not acceptable.

1. and 3. could both be justified as matters relating to a claim.

1 just seems like circling move numbers; which a large chunk of players do anyway when they circle the move number of the time control.

Frank Kamau wrote:I've had a look at the FIDE handbook and it states the following :-

FIDE wrote:It is forbidden to write the moves in advance, unless the player is claiming a draw according to Article 9.2, or 9.3 or adjourning a game according to the Guidelines of Adjourned Games point 1.a.

FIDE wrote:12.4 The scoresheet shall be used only for recording the moves, the times of the clocks, the offers of a draw, and matters relating to a claim and other relevant data.

I cannot see how recording times can be said to be "taking notes". Recording moves in advance is forbidden in itself and not "taking notes" as you have put it Warren Kingston.

You don't have use my surname, we are all friends here. Didn't accuse anyone of anything, just enquiring.

I remember playing this punk once who was playing really obvious moves (like swapping off every possible piece to try and get a draw off me) which I was saving myself a little time and writing down both his move and my response in the same stroke and he was really whinging and complaining about it and trying to get my captain to award him a win, unfortunately I WAS the captain in this instance and told him to put more effort into playing a better game than wasting it learning all the obscure rules which fide publish... after I won!

Ian Thompson wrote:

FIDE wrote:12.4 The scoresheet shall be used only for recording the moves, the times of the clocks, the offers of a draw, and matters relating to a claim and other relevant data.

But who decides what relevant data is? Can I, for example:

1. Highlight on my scoresheet the last time a pawn moved, or a piece was captured, so it's easy for me to see when 50 moves have elapsed?
2. Indicate on my scoresheet that I, or my opponent, has moved my King or Rook and can no longer castle?
3. Indicate on my scoresheet that I, or my opponent, has played an illegal move, and will lose if it happens twice more?

My own view is that 3. is definitely OK; 1. is probably not acceptable; 2. is definitely not acceptable.

I agree with your opinion on 2. and 3.

I would definitely consider 1. to be acceptable. In fact I think it's pretty much standard practice.

As an arbiter, I find it helpful when a player does this. It tells me when I need to be in close attendance to deal with a possible claim.

If and when the claim arises, the arbiter does of course need to check carefully that the initial indication on the player's scoresheet is in the correct place.

Warren Kingston wrote:
You don't have use my surname, we are all friends here. Didn't accuse anyone of anything, just enquiring.

Hi Warren, I was not accusing you of accusing anyone of anything, I actually read the rules and I copied and pasted from the handbook. It helped me as well.

David Sedgwick wrote: I agree with your opinion on 2. and 3.

I would definitely consider 1. to be acceptable. In fact I think it's pretty much standard practice.

As an arbiter, I find it helpful when a player does this. It tells me when I need to be in close attendance to deal with a possible claim.

If and when the claim arises, the arbiter does of course need to check carefully that the initial indication on the player's scoresheet is in the correct place.

Its good to hear from an arbiter on some of these matters. Thanks for your post.