FIDE Laws of Chess
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The FIDE Laws of Chess cover over-the-board play.
The English text is the authentic version of
the Laws of Chess, which was adopted at the 75th FIDE Congress at
Calvia (Mallorca), October 2004, coming into force on 1 July 2005.
In these Laws the words `he`, `him` and `his` include `she`
and `her`. |
PREFACE
The Laws of Chess cannot cover all possible
situations that may arise during a game, nor can they regulate all
administrative questions. Where cases are not precisely regulated by an
Article of the Laws, it should be possible to reach a correct decision
by studying analogous situations, which are discussed in the Laws. The
Laws assume that arbiters have the necessary competence, sound
judgement and absolute objectivity. Too detailed a rule might deprive
the arbiter of his freedom of judgement and thus prevent him from
finding the solution to a problem dictated by fairness, logic and
special factors.
FIDE appeals to all chess players and federations to accept this view.
A member federation is free to introduce more detailed rules provided they:
a. do not conflict in any way with the official FIDE Laws of Chess
b. are limited to the territory of the federation in question; and c.
are not valid for any FIDE match, championship or qualifying event, or
for a FIDE title or rating
tournament. BASIC RULES OF PLAY
Article 1: The nature and objectives of the game of chess
1.1 The game of chess is
played between two opponents who move their pieces alternately on a
square board called a `chessboard`. The player with the white pieces
commences the game. A player is said to `have the move`, when his
opponent`s move has been ’made’.
1.2 The objective of each
player is to place the opponent`s king `under attack` in such a way
that the opponent has no legal move. The player who achieves this goal
is said to have `checkmated` the opponent`s king and to have won the
game. Leaving one’s own king under attack, exposing one’s own king to
attack and also ’capturing’ the opponent’s king are not allowed. The
opponent whose king has been checkmated has lost the game. 1.3 If the position
is such that neither player can possibly checkmate, the game is drawn.
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Article 2: The initial position of the pieces on the
chessboard |
2.1 |
The chessboard is composed of an 8x8 grid of 64 equal squares
alternately light (the `white` squares) and dark (the `black` squares). The
chessboard is placed between the players in such a way that the near corner
square to the right of the player is white. |
2.2 |
At the beginning of the game one player has 16 light-coloured
pieces (the `white` pieces); the other has 16 dark-coloured pieces (the `black`
pieces): These pieces are as follows:
A white king, usually indicated by the symbol |
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A white queen, usually indicated by the symbol |
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Two white rooks, usually indicated by the symbol |
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Two white bishops, usually indicated by the symbol |
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Two white knights, usually indicated by the symbol |
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Eight white pawns, usually indicated by the symbol |
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A black king, usually indicated by the symbol |
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A black queen, usually indicated by the symbol |
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Two black rooks, usually indicated by the symbol |
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Two black bishops, usually indicated by the symbol |
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Two black knights, usually indicated by the symbol |
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Eight black pawns, usually indicated by the symbol |
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2.3 |
The initial position of the pieces on the chessboard is as
follows:
|
2.4 |
The eight vertical columns of squares are called `files`. The
eight horizontal rows of squares are called ranks`. A straight line of squares
of the same colour, touching corner to corner, is called a `diagonal`.
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Article 3: The moves of the pieces |
3.1 |
It is not permitted to move a piece to a square
occupied by a piece of the same colour. If a piece moves to a square
occupied by an opponent`s piece the latter is captured and removed from
the chessboard as part of the same move. A piece is said to attack an
opponent`s piece if the piece could make a capture on that square
according to Articles 3.2 to 3.8. A piece is considered to attack a
square, even if such a piece is constrained from moving to that square
because it would then leave or place the king of its own colour under
attack. |
3.2 |
The bishop may move to any square along a diagonal on which it
stands.
|
3.3 |
The rook may move to any square along the file or the rank on
which it stands.
|
3.4 |
The queen may move to any square along the file, the rank or a
diagonal on which it stands.
|
3.5 |
When making these moves the bishop, rook or queen may not move
over any intervening pieces. |
3.6 |
The knight may move to one of the squares nearest to that on
which it stands but not on the same rank, file or diagonal.
|
3.7 |
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The pawn may move forward to the unoccupied square immediately
in front of it on the same file, or
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on its first move the pawn may move as in (a); alternatively it
may advance two squares along the same file provided both squares are
unoccupied, or
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the pawn may move to a square occupied by an opponent`s piece,
which is diagonally in front of it on an adjacent file, capturing that piece.
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Ad. A pawn attacking a square crossed by an
opponent`s pawn which has advanced two squares in one move from its
original square may capture this opponent`s pawn as though the latter
had been moved only one square. This capture is only legal on the move
following this advance and is called an `en passant` capture.
-
When a pawn reaches the rank furthest from its starting
position it must be exchanged as part of the same move for a new queen, rook, bishop
or knight of the same colour. The player`s choice is not restricted to pieces
that have been captured previously. This exchange of a pawn for another piece is
called `promotion` and the effect of the new piece is immediate.
|
3.8 |
a. There are two different ways of moving the king, by:
-
moving to any adjoining square not attacked by one or more of
the opponent`s pieces.
or
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`castling`. This is a move of the king and either
rook of the same colour on the same rank, counting as a single move of
the king and executed as follows: the king is transferred from its
original square two squares towards the rook, then that rook is
transferred to the square the king has just crossed.
(1) The right for castling has been lost:
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if the king has already moved, or
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with a rook that has already moved
(2) Castling is prevented temporarily
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if the square on which the king stands, or the square which it
must cross, or the square which it is to occupy, is attacked by one or more of
the opponent`s pieces.
-
if there is any piece between the king and the rook with which
castling is to be effected.
|
3.9 |
The king is said to be `in check` if it is attacked
by one or more of the opponent`s pieces, even if such pieces are
constrained from moving to that square because they would then leave or
place their own king in check. No piece can be moved that will either
expose the king of the same colour to check or leave that king in
check.
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Article 4: The act of moving the pieces
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4.1 |
Each move must be made with one hand only. |
4.2 |
Provided that he first expresses his intention (e.g. by saying
"j`adoube" or "I adjust"), the player having the move may adjust one or more
pieces on their squares. |
4.3 |
Except as provided in Article 4.2, if the player having the
move deliberately touches on the chessboard
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one or more of his own pieces, he must move the first piece
touched that can be moved, or
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one or more of his opponent`s pieces, he must capture the first
piece touched, which can be captured, or
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one piece of each colour, he must capture the opponent`s piece
with his piece or, if this is illegal, move or capture the first piece touched
which can be moved or captured. If it is unclear, whether the player`s own piece
or his opponent`s was touched first, the player`s own piece shall be considered
to have been touched before his opponent`s.
|
4.4 |
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If a player deliberately touches his king and rook he must
castle on that side if it is legal to do so.
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If a player deliberately touches a rook and then his king he is
not allowed to castle on that side on that move and the situation shall be
governed by Article 4.3(a).
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If a player, intending to castle, touches the king or king and
rook at the same time, but castling on that side is illegal, the player must
make another legal move with his king which may include castling on the other
side. If the king has no legal move, the player is free to make any legal move.
-
If a player promotes a pawn, the choice of the piece is
finalised, when the piece has touched the square of promotion.
|
4.5 |
If none of the pieces touched can be moved or captured, the
player may make any legal move. |
4.6 |
When, as a legal move or part of a legal move, a piece has been
released on a square, it cannot then be moved to another square. The move is
considered to have been made when all the relevant requirements of Article 3
have been fulfilled.
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in the case of a capture, when the captured piece has been removed from
the chessboard and the player, having placed his own piece on its new square, has released
this capturing piece from his hand;
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in the case of castling, when the player`s hand has released the rook on
the square previously crossed by the king. When the player has released the king from his
hand, the move is not yet made, but the player no longer has the right to make any move
other than castling on that side, if this is legal;
-
in the case of the promotion of a pawn, when the pawn has been removed
from the chessboard and the player`s hand has released the new piece after placing it on
the promotion square. If the player has released from his hand the pawn that has reached
the promotion square, the move is not yet made, but the player no longer has the right
to play the pawn to another square.
|
4.7 |
A player forfeits his right to a claim against his opponent`s
violation of Article 4.3 or 4.4, once he deliberately touches a piece. |
Article 5: The completion of the game |
5.1 |
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The game is won by the player who has checkmated his opponent`s
king. This immediately ends the game, provided that the move producing the
checkmate position was a legal move.
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The game is won by the player whose opponent declares he
resigns. This immediately ends the game. |
5.2 |
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The game is drawn when the player to move has no legal move and
his king is not in check. The game is said to end in `stalemate`. This
immediately ends the game, provided that the move producing the stalemate
position was legal.
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The game is drawn when a position has arisen in which neither
player can checkmate the opponent`s king with any series of legal moves. The
game is said to end in a `dead position`. This immediately ends the game,
provided that the move producing the position was legal.
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The game is drawn upon agreement between the two players during
the game. This immediately ends the game. (See Article 9.1)
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The game may be drawn if any identical position is about to
appear or has appeared on the chessboard at least three times. (See Article 9.2)
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The game may be drawn if each player has made at least the last 50
consecutive moves without the movement of any pawn and without any capture. (See Article 9.3) |
COMPETITION RULES |
Article 6: The chess clock |
6.1 |
`Chess clock` means a clock with two time displays, connected
to each other in such a way that only one of them can run at one time.
`Clock` in the Laws of Chess means one of the two time displays. `Flag
fall` means the expiration of the allotted time for a player. |
6.2 |
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When using a chess clock, each player must make a minimum
number of moves or all moves in an allotted period of time and/or may be
allocated an additional amount of time with each move. All these must be
specified in advance.
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The time saved by a player during one period is added to his
time available for the next period, except in the `time delay` mode. In the
time delay mode both players receive an allotted `main thinking time`. Each
player also receives a `fixed extra time` with every move. The countdown of the
main time only commences after the fixed time has expired. Provided the player
stops his clock before the expiration of the fixed time, the main thinking time
does not change, irrespective of the proportion of the fixed time used.
|
6.3 |
Each time display has a `flag`. Immediately after a flag falls,
the requirements of Article 6.2(a) must be checked. |
6.4 |
Before the start of the game the arbiter decides where the
chess clock is placed. |
6.5 |
At the time determined for the start of the game the clock of
the player who has the white pieces is started. |
6.6 |
If neither player is present initially, the player who has the
white pieces shall lose all the time that elapses until he arrives; unless the
rules of the competition specify or the arbiter decides otherwise.
|
6.7 |
Any player who arrives at the chessboard more than one hour
after the scheduled start of the session shall lose the game unless the rules of
the competition specify or the arbiter decides otherwise. |
6.8 |
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During the game each player, having made his move on the
chessboard, shall stop his own clock and start his opponent`s clock. A player
must always be allowed to stop his clock. His move is not considered to have
been completed until he has done so, unless the move that was made ends the
game. (See Articles 5.1, and 5.2) The time between making the move on the
chessboard and stopping his own clock and starting his opponent`s clock is
regarded as part of the time allotted to the player.
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A player must stop his clock with the same hand as that with
which he made his move. It is forbidden for a player to keep his finger on the
button or to `hover` over it.
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The players must handle the chess clock properly. It is
forbidden to punch it forcibly, to pick it up or to knock it over. Improper
clock handling shall be penalised in accordance with Article 13.4.
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If a player is unable to use the clock, an assistant, who is
acceptable to the arbiter, may be provided by the player to perform this
operation. His clock shall be adjusted by the arbiter in an equitable way.
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6.9 |
A flag is considered to have fallen when the arbiter observes
the fact or when either player has made a valid claim to that effect.
|
6.10 |
Except where Articles 5.1 or one of the Articles 5.2 (a), (b)
and (c) apply, if a player does not complete the prescribed number of moves in
the allotted time, the game is lost by the player. However, the game is drawn,
if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player`s king by
any possible series of legal moves, even with the most unskilled counterplay.
|
6.11 |
Every indication given by the clocks is considered to be
conclusive in the absence of any evident defect. A chess clock with an evident
defect shall be replaced. The arbiter shall replace the clock and use his best judgement when
determining the times to be shown on the replacement chess clock. |
6.12 |
If both flags have fallen and it is impossible to establish which flag fell first, then
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the game shall continue if it happens in any period of the game except the last period.
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the game is drawn in case it happens in the period of a game, in which all remaining moves must be completed.
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6.13 |
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If the game needs to be interrupted, the arbiter shall stop the
clocks.
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A player may stop the clocks only in order to seek the
arbiter`s assistance, for instance when promotion has taken place and the piece
required is not available.
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The arbiter shall decide when the game is to be restarted in
either case.
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If a player stops the clocks in order to seek the arbiter`s
assistance, the arbiter shall determine if the player had any valid reason for
doing so. If it is obvious that the player has no valid reason for stopping the
clocks, the player shall be penalised according to article 13.4.
|
6.14 |
If an irregularity occurs and/or the pieces have to be restored
to a previous position, the arbiter shall use his best judgement to determine
the times to be shown on the clocks. He shall also, if necessary, adjust the
clock`s move counter. |
6.15 |
Screens, monitors, or demonstration boards showing
the current position on the chessboard, the moves and the number of
moves made, and clocks which also show the number of moves, are allowed
in the playing hall. However, the player may not make a claim relying
solely on information shown in this manner. |
Article 7: Irregularities |
7.1 |
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If during a game it is found that the initial position of the
pieces was incorrect, the game shall be cancelled and a new game played.
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If during a game it is found that the only error is that the
chessboard has been placed contrary to Article 2.1, the game continues but the
position reached must be transferred to a correctly placed chessboard.
|
7.2 |
If a game has begun with colours reversed, then it shall
continue, unless the arbiter rules otherwise. |
7.3 |
If a player displaces one or more pieces, he shall
re-establish the correct position on his own time. If necessary, either
the player or his opponent shall stop the clocks and ask for the
arbiter`s assistance. The arbiter may penalise the player who displaced
the pieces. |
7.4 |
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If during a game it is found that an illegal move,
including failing to meet the requirements of the promotion of a pawn
or capturing the opponent’s king, has been completed, the position
immediately before the irregularity shall be reinstated. If the
position immediately before the irregularity cannot be determined, the
game shall continue from the last identifiable position prior to the
irregularity. The clocks shall be adjusted according to Article 6.14.
Article 4.3 applies to the move replacing the illegal move. The game
shall then continue from this reinstated position.
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After the action taken under Article 7.4(a), for the
first two illegal moves by a player the arbiter shall give two minutes
extra time to his opponent in each instance; for a third illegal move
by the same player, the arbiter shall declare the game lost by this
player. |
7.5 |
If during a game it is found that pieces have been
displaced from their squares, the position before the irregularity
shall be reinstated. If the position immediately before the
irregularity cannot be determined, the game shall continue from the
last identifiable position prior to the irregularity. The clocks shall
be adjusted according to Article 6.14. The game shall then continue
from this reinstated position. |
Article 8: The recording of the moves |
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 E), on the ‘scoresheet’ 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.
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 scoresheet. (Appendix
E.13)
If a player is unable to keep score, an assistant, who is 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. |
8.2 |
The scoresheet shall be visible to the arbiter throughout the game. |
8.3 |
The scoresheets are the property of the organisers of the event. |
8.4 |
If a player has less than five minutes left on his
clock at some stage in a period and does not have additional time of 30
seconds or more added with each move, then he is not obliged to meet
the requirements of Article 8.1. Immediately after one flag has fallen
the player must update his scoresheet completely before moving a piece
on the chessboard |
8.5 |
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If neither player is required to keep score under
Article 8.4, the arbiter or an assistant should try to be present and
keep score. In this case, immediately after one flag has fallen, the
arbiter shall stop the clocks. Then both players shall update their
scoresheets, using the arbiter`s or the opponent`s scoresheet.
-
If only one player is not required to keep score
under Article 8.4 he must, as soon as either flag has fallen, update
his scoresheet completely before moving a piece on the chessboard.
Provided it is the player`s move, he may use his opponent`s scoresheet,
but must return it before making a move
-
If no complete scoresheet is available, the players
must reconstruct the game on a second chessboard under the control of
the arbiter or an assistant. He shall first record the actual game
position, clock times and the number of moves made, if this information
is available, before reconstruction takes place. |
8.6 |
If the scoresheets cannot be brought up-to-date
showing that a player has overstepped the allotted time, the next move
made shall be considered as the first of the following time period,
unless there is evidence that more moves have been made. |
8.7 |
At the conclusion of the game both players shall
sign both scoresheets, indicating the result of the game. Even if
incorrect, this result shall stand, unless the arbiter decides
otherwise. |
Article 9: The drawn game |
9.1 |
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A player wishing to offer a draw shall do so after
having made a move on the chessboard and before stopping his clock and
starting the opponent`s clock. An offer at any other time during play
is still valid, but Article 12.6 must be considered. No conditions can
be attached to the offer. In both cases the offer cannot be withdrawn
and remains valid until the opponent accepts it, rejects it orally,
rejects it by touching a piece with the intention of moving or
capturing it, or the game is concluded in some other way.
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The offer of a draw shall be noted by each player on his scoresheet with a symbol (See Appendix E13).
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A claim of a draw under 9.2, 9.3 or 10.2 shall be considered to be an offer of a draw. |
9.2 |
The game is drawn, upon a correct claim by the
player having the move, when the same position, for at least the third
time (not necessarily by a repetition of moves)
-
is about to appear, if he first writes his move on
his scoresheet and declares to the arbiter his intention to make this
move, or
-
has just appeared, and the player claiming the draw has the move.
Positions as in (a) and (b) are considered the same,
if the same player has the move, pieces of the same kind and colour
occupy the same squares, and the possible moves of all the pieces of
both players are the same. Positions are not the same if a pawn that
could have been captured en passant can no longer in this manner be
captured or if the right to castle has been changed temporarily or
permanently. |
9.3 |
The game is drawn, upon a correct claim by the player having the move, if
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he writes his move on his scoresheet, and declares
to the arbiter his intention to make this move which shall result in
the last 50 moves having been made by each player without the movement
of any pawn and without any capture, or
-
the last 50 consecutive moves have been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture. |
9.4 |
If the player makes a move without having claimed
the draw he loses the right to claim, as in Article 9.2 or 9.3, on that
move. |
9.5 |
If a player claims a draw as in Article 9.2 or 9.3,
he shall immediately stop both clocks. He is not allowed to withdraw
his claim.
-
If the claim is found to be correct the game is immediately drawn.
-
If the claim is found to be incorrect, the arbiter
shall add three minutes to the opponent`s remaining time. Additionally,
if the claimant has more than two minutes on his clock the arbiter
shall deduct half of the claimant`s remaining time up to a maximum of
three minutes. If the claimant has more than one minute, but less than
two minutes, his remaining time shall be one minute. If the claimant
has less than one minute, the arbiter shall make no adjustment to the
claimant`s clock. Then the game shall continue and the intended move
must be made. |
9.6 |
The game is drawn when a position is reached from
which a checkmate cannot occur by any possible series of legal moves,
even with the most unskilled play. This immediately ends the game,
provided that the move producing this position was legal. |
Article 10: Quickplay Finish |
10.1 |
A `quickplay finish` is the phase of a game, when all the
(remaining) moves must be made in a limited time. |
10.2 |
If the player, having the move, has less than two minutes left
on his clock, he may claim a draw before his flag falls. He shall stop the
clocks and summon the arbiter.
-
If the arbiter agrees the opponent is making no
effort to win the game by normal means, or that it is not possible to
win by normal means, then he shall declare the game drawn. Otherwise he
shall postpone his decision or reject the claim.
-
b. If the arbiter postpones his decision, the
opponent may be awarded two extra minutes and the game shall continue
in the presence of an arbiter, if possible. The arbiter shall declare
the final result later in the game or after a flag has fallen. He shall
declare the game drawn if he agrees that the final position cannot be
won by normal means, or that the opponent was not making sufficient
attempts to win by normal means.
-
If the arbiter has rejected the claim, the opponent shall be
awarded two extra minutes time.
-
The decision of the arbiter shall be final relating to 10.2 a,
b, c. |
Article 11: Scoring |
11.1 |
Unless announced otherwise in advance, a player who wins his
game, or wins by forfeit, scores one point (1), a player who loses his game, or
forfeits scores no points (0) and a player who draws his game scores a half
point (1/2). |
Article 12: The conduct of the players
|
12.1 |
The players shall take no action that will bring the game of
chess into disrepute. |
12.2 |
During play the players are forbidden to make use of any notes,
sources of information, advice, or analyse on another chessboard.
It is strictly forbidden to bring mobile
phones or other electronic means of communication, not authorised by
the arbiter, into the playing venue. If a player`s mobile phone rings
in the playing venue during play, that player shall lose the game. The
score of the opponent shall be determined by the arbiter.
|
12.3 |
The scoresheet shall be used only for recording the
moves, the times of the clocks, the offers of a draw, matters relating
to a claim and other relevant data. |
12.4 |
Players who have finished their games shall be considered to be
spectators. |
12.5 |
Players are not allowed to leave the `playing venue` without
permission from the arbiter. The playing venue is defined as the playing area,
rest rooms, refreshment area, area set aside for smoking and other places as
designated by the arbiter. The player having the move is not allowed to leave
the playing area without permission of the arbiter. |
12.6 |
It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner
whatsoever. This includes unreasonable claims or unreasonable offers of a draw.
|
12.7 |
Infraction of any part of the Articles 12.1 to 12.6 shall lead
to penalties in accordance with Article 13.4. |
12.8 |
Persistent refusal by a player to comply with the Laws of Chess
shall be penalised by loss of the game. The arbiter shall decide the score of
the opponent. |
12.9 |
If both players are found guilty according to Article 12.8, the
game shall be declared lost by both players. |
Article 13: The role of the arbiter (see
Preface) |
13.1 |
The arbiter shall see that the Laws of Chess are strictly
observed. |
13.2 |
The arbiter shall act in the best interest of the competition.
He should ensure that a good playing environment is maintained and that the
players are not disturbed. He shall supervise the progress of the competition.
|
13.3 |
The arbiter shall observe the games, especially when the
players are short of time, enforce decisions he has made and impose penalties on
players where appropriate. |
13.4 |
The arbiter can apply one or more of the following penalties:
-
warning,
-
increasing the remaining time of the opponent,
-
reducing the remaining time of the offending player,
-
declaring the game to be lost,
-
reducing the points scored in a game by the offending party,
-
increasing the points scored in a game by the opponent to the
maximum available for that game,
-
expulsion from the event. |
13.5 |
The arbiter may award either or both players additional time in
the event of external disturbance of the game. |
13.6 |
The arbiter must not intervene in a game except in
cases described by the Laws of Chess. He shall not indicate the number
of moves made, except in applying Article 8.5 when at least one flag
has fallen. The arbiter shall refrain from informing a player that his
opponent has completed a move or that the player has not pressed his
clock. |
13.7 |
-
Spectators and players in other games are not to speak about or
otherwise interfere in a game. If necessary, the arbiter may expel offenders from the
playing venue.
-
It is forbidden for anybody to use a mobile phone in the playing venue and any area designated by the arbiter
|
Article 14: FIDE |
14.1 |
Member federations may ask FIDE to give an official decision
about problems relating to the Laws of Chess. |