1. The Touch-Move Rule
This is the most famous rule in tournament chess. It enforces discipline.
If you touch a piece:
- Your Piece: You MUST move it if a legal move exists.
- Opponent's Piece: You MUST capture it if a legal capture is possible.
- No Legal Move: If the touched piece cannot move, there is no penalty. You can play any other move.
J'adoube: If you only want to center a piece, say "I adjust" (or J'adoube) before touching it.
2. Illegal Moves
Making a move that violates the laws of chess (like leaving the King in check) has severe penalties.
Penalties (Standard/Rapid):
- 1st Illegal Move: The arbiter adds 2 minutes to your opponent's clock.
- 2nd Illegal Move: You immediately LOSE the game.
Common Illegal Moves:
- Moving into check.
- Castling with two hands (you must use one hand).
- Promoting a pawn and pressing the clock before placing the new piece.
3. Draws & 50-Move Rule
Not every game ends in a win. Here is how draws happen:
- Stalemate: Player has no legal moves but is NOT in check.
- Three-Fold Repetition: The exact same position appears 3 times. (You must claim this with the arbiter).
- 50-Move Rule: If 50 moves pass without a pawn move or a capture, you can claim a draw.
- Insufficient Material: Example: King vs King, or King + Bishop vs King.