You must first make your move before recording it on the Monroi.
You can use it to look on both sides of the board
You can never take notes while using pen and paper.
Monroi and Rules on Notation
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Rule 15a states that you must make your move before you record it, even if you're using pen and paper. Most players don't care one way or another and some tournament directors even state at the beginning of the tournament that it is still the player's choice unless he/she is using a Monroi!
Just a side not on that: I'm not bothered by my opponent writing down his move before he makes it, as I tend to do it (most often in the opening, where there's no thinking about my next move). I feel like it's poor etiquette, though, to write down a move and try your very best to conceal it on your notation! It's one thing to write out a move just before you make it, or to even think about it a second time before you make the move, while it's another thing to write it down, conceal it, think about it for 20 minutes, and then change it to another move (and repeat).
Jun 16, 2009
0
#4
According to the latest revisions to USCF rules, when using a MonRoi a player must make the move first and then record it.
When using pen and paper, the move may be written first and then made, as long as this method is not being used as a memory aid.
You can access the USCF revisions here (Warning: this is a link to a pdf file): USCF Rules Revisions
Amy
ajgreen wrote:
Rule 15a states that you must make your move before you record it, even if you're using pen and paper. Most players don't care one way or another and some tournament directors even state at the beginning of the tournament that it is still the player's choice unless he/she is using a Monroi!
Just a side not on that: I'm not bothered by my opponent writing down his move before he makes it, as I tend to do it (most often in the opening, where there's no thinking about my next move). I feel like it's poor etiquette, though, to write down a move and try your very best to conceal it on your notation! It's one thing to write out a move just before you make it, or to even think about it a second time before you make the move, while it's another thing to write it down, conceal it, think about it for 20 minutes, and then change it to another move (and repeat).
In FIDE events you cannot conceal your moves nor your scoresheet from your opponent. In fact, if your opponent asks to see your scoresheet ( maybe he missed a move or something) you have no choice but to let him see it, but it must be his clock running when this takes place. In fide events however the scoresheets are supplied for all players and thus considered property of the organization and not property of the players. USCF is a horse of a different color. 
I have a question: If my opponent only has one legal move, am I allowed to write down their move before they play it? Admittedly, I don't play in USCF tournaments, but I am curious nonetheless.
If someone only has one legal move, why would they need to write it down?
KillaBeez wrote:
If someone only has one legal move, why would they need to write it down?
Because otherwise your scoresheet is incomplete? I'm not saying it's one move from checkmate, rather they have one legal move at that moment.
I've recently started playing OTB and a few opponents have had a Monroi. My questions are
Also on a side note - if taking notes with pen and paper, can you note (on the flip side) what you were thinking when you make the move? ...for example - moved rook here to put pressure on bishop...or something like that.
THanks,