I've looked around on Lichess, including in the Q&A section, but I can't find a definitive list of rules for correspondence games. I'm thinking of playing some games, but I want to be sure what's allowed.
Is there a set of rules somewhere that I can see?
Opening books are allowed, so are opening DVDs and YouTube videos allowed too? Am I allowed to move the pieces around on a physical board to look at variations as long as there's no computer help?
I've never played correspondence chess of any kind, so I'm a bit lost.
You can move the pieces around on a board. In fact, there is an analysis board built into the site. While playing a correspondence game, you can click on an icon that looks like a microscope (I think that's what it is) and an analysis board will appear that allows you to move the pieces around and play what-if. The analysis board even includes an opening and database explorer. When finished with the analysis board, you click on a button named "back to game" and it puts you back in the game where you left off. It's really cool.
I don't think that there is any rule that says "You may not watch a chess lecture while you are in the middle of a correspondence game" That would just be silly.
I remember there was a discussion a good while back about the rules but I can't remember exactly what was said. I think it was agreed that pretty much anything goes apart from the use of engines. If you're going to use literature to help you find the best move, it would be prudent to quote the title of the book you've used and the page number so that you can't be accused of using an engine.
Thanks for the replies, everyone. Really helpful!
True, there should be definitely some default set of rules for correspondence chess here on lichess...however, one could discuss the rules ofc before the game too, just to make sure everyone is on the same page.
The International Correspondence Chess Federation allows almost everything, including books, engines and consulting with humans as long as the player decides himself on the moves. One of the few forbidden things is playing mirror games, that is looking at another correspondence chess game and playing the same moves with a delay.
I usually just use the analysis board built in to correspondence games; the opening tablebases are helpful as well - and both are always legal and acceptable. Perhaps the easiest and best way to avoid misunderstandings is just notifying your opponent of book or engine use while the game can still be aborted. If they keep playing, fine. If not, fine. Go find a new game.
Notifying your opponent of engine usage would be a pretty bad idea since it is against the rules of the site, even if your opponent agrees it's ok.
I think this topic came up before and if I remember correctly, it is fine to use an engine only if your opponent agrees to it and it is casual game. Everything else should be fine.