In a hypothetical tournament game where there is a completely forced series of moves for your opponent (e.g. their next move is an only-move and you have already decided on the response), would it be legal to record the moves before they have been played?
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2 Answers
Well, it isn't legal for two reasons,
One, lets say that the opponent gave you an handshake. That would mean that the recorded moves are null, and it may cause some troubles with the arbiters.
Two, Article 8.1:
In the course of play each player is required to record his own moves and those of his opponent in the correct manner, move after move, as clearly and legibly as possible, in the algebraic notation (Appendix C), on the score sheet prescribed for the competition. 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.. A player may reply to his opponent’s move before recording it, if he so wishes. He must record his previous move before making another. Both players must record the offer of a draw on the score sheet. (Appendix C.13) If a player is unable to keep score, an assistant, who must be acceptable to the arbiter, may be provided by the player to write the moves. His clock shall be adjusted by the arbiter in an equitable way
Note especially the:
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..
You can find the rulebook here.
answered Nov 8, 2014 at 15:43
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I don't think it's about confusing arbiters but about taking notes. If you're allowed to write down a move in advance, how do you know whether somebody who writes down a move and crosses it out has changed their mind or is making notes about what moves they've rejected? Commented Nov 8, 2014 at 16:37
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It can be for both reasons. I was in a tournament recently, and there was a slight confusion because in the game I was a ply back (Forgot to write a move) Commented Nov 8, 2014 at 16:39
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I usually write my move down before actually playing it out. Does this mean that what I'm doing is illegal? Commented Nov 9, 2014 at 1:18
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1FIDE rules now require you to make your move before recording it. USCF rules also nominally require it, but the tournament director is allowed to use a variation of the rules in which writing the move first is allowed. In practice, in the US, writing the move first will not generally get you into trouble.– dfanCommented Nov 9, 2014 at 3:34
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@dfan Writing down your move before you make it ought to be against the rules because it annoys or distracts the opponent. I am thinking on my opponent's time, as I have a right to do. Opponent write a move on his scoresheet, so naturally I stop thinking because I'm expecting him to move any moment. And then the so-and-so studies the position for a few more minutes.– bofCommented Nov 10, 2014 at 6:36
The answer from Tal refers to the FIDE rules, the USCF rules are a little bit different, but have recently been changed to be less friendly to writing down moves before making the move. The specific situation you refer to in your question, writing down a string of moves ahead of time, would be illegal under both FIDE and USCF rules. While the USCF rules do not specifically state you can only write the next move, they definitely infer it by stating a move may be written before the move is made (old rule), and that no other notes except those mentioned in the rule book are allowed.
The rules have changed since the addition of electronic scorecards, and it is now illegal to record a move before making it. Though the penalty recommended to TDs is just that a warning be issued.
The USCF rulebook is not available in electronic form, so I can't copy and paste the relevant sections, nor link to them.
