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🏛️Official — FIDE
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The board is composed of an 8 x 8 grid of 64 equal squares alternately light and dark (Art. 2.1); The board is placed so that the near corner square to the right of each player is light (Art. 2.1); The eight vertical columns are files; the eight horizontal rows are ranks
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the orientation of the board doesn't matter as long as it's set up correctly, but in fact, the official FIDE rules specify a precise way the board must be placed: with light squares at each player’s near corner, and they place vertical files (columns) and horizontal ranks accordingly. This detail is crucial for determining which pieces move where during gameplay.
The playing venue is the area defined by the organiser in which the games are played; players may not leave it without arbiter permission.
Chess is a two-player game; each controls one colour throughout the game (Art. 1.1); Moves must be made with one hand only (Art. 4.1); Players record their moves in algebraic notation on the prescribed scoresheet, or an approved electronic equivalent (Art. 8.1.1.1)
Bishop: any number of squares along a diagonal, without leaping over another piece (Art. 3.2); Rook: any number of squares along a rank or file, without leaping (Art. 3.3); Queen: any number of squares along a rank, file, or diagonal, without leaping (Art. 3.4)
Checkmate ends the game immediately, provided the move producing it was legal (Art. 5.1.1); Resignation: a player who resigns loses immediately, unless the position is one in which the opponent cannot possibly checkmate (Art. 5.1.2); Time: a player who does not complete the prescribed moves in th...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a player resigns during their opponent's move, they lose immediately without considering whether it would have been possible for them to win with optimal play. Actually, the resignation only results in a loss if no checkmate is feasible from the current position. This rule can lead to misunderstandings about when and why a game ends due to resignation.
An illegal move is completed once the player has pressed the clock (Art. 7.5.1); The position immediately before the irregularity is reinstated; First completed illegal move: the arbiter gives two minutes extra time to the opponent (Art. 7.5.5)
Players shall take no action that will bring the game of chess into disrepute (Art. 11.1); The arbiter's duties expressly include ensuring fair play (Art. 12.2.1); Agreeing a result in advance, or deliberately losing, is contrary to Art. 11.1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that agreeing a result in advance is only cheating if it happens after the game ends, forgetting that deliberately losing with the intention of securing an easy win during play itself violates Art. 11.1's spirit of fair play. The confusion arises because they overlook the rule’s broader interpretation that includes premeditated dishonesty throughout the match.
Appendix D of the Laws sets out play with blind and visually disabled players, including adapted boards and permitted assistance; Arbiters may make reasonable accommodation for players with disabilities under the Laws
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the official FIDE rules for chess only allow for blind players to play with audio cues as assistance, but in reality, the laws do cover a broader range of accommodations including adapted boards and reasonable physical or mental assistance under certain conditions.
The device prohibition in Art. 11.3.2 is the primary anti-cheating provision in over-the-board play; Organisers may screen players entering the playing venue, subject to FIDE anti-cheating regulations; The scoresheet requirement (Art. 8.1-8.2) creates a verifiable record of every game
Why people argue about this
People often assume that simply having a scoresheet is enough to prevent cheating in chess, forgetting that Art. 11.3.2's device prohibition actually serves as the primary anti-cheating measure. They overlook how organizers can screen players entering the venue and FIDE’s anti-cheating regulations play crucial roles alongside the scoresheet requirement.
Warning; increasing or reducing the remaining time of a player; Awarding or deducting points; declaring the game lost by a player; Imposing a fine; exclusion from one or more rounds; expulsion from the competition
Why people argue about this
People often assume that under Art. 12.9 of FIDE Chess rules, an arbiter can only impose fines in monetary form, forgetting that it includes imposing a fine on players, which could be anything from forfeiting games to being banned from the competition entirely—thus leading to misunderstandings about what exactly constitutes a "fine.
The default time is the period after the start of the session within which a late player may still begin; If the default time is not specified in advance, it is zero (Art. 6.7.1); A player arriving after the default time loses the game unless the arbiter decides otherwise (Art. 6.7.1)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a player arrives after the default time, they automatically lose without considering whether an arbiter has intervened to change the outcome. Actually, it's only when the arbiter decides otherwise that a late arrival results in a loss; otherwise, players have until the default time to arrive and play as per standard chess rules.
The king moves two squares toward a rook, and that rook moves to the square the king crossed; The right is lost permanently if the king or that rook has previously moved (Art. 3.8.2.1); Castling is prevented if the king is in check, or would cross or land on an attacked square, or if pieces stand...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that castling is only about moving the king two squares towards a rook for convenience, forgetting that it involves the rook as well, which must move to protect the square the king just crossed. This oversight leads to misunderstandings and errors in castling moves during games.
A king is in check when attacked by one or more enemy pieces (Art. 3.9.1); No move may leave or place a player's own king in check (Art. 3.9.2)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that moving a king out of check is only illegal if it leaves the opponent's king in check as well, but actually, no move may leave or place a player’s own king in check regardless of where the opponent's king is positioned – this rule underscores the importance of safeguarding your own king at all times.
Only the players, the arbiter, and authorised persons may be in the playing area during play; Electronic devices are forbidden in the playing venue unless specifically approved (Art. 11.3.2); The scoresheet must remain visible to the arbiter throughout the game (Art. 8.2)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that electronic devices are only forbidden during game play, forgetting about their prohibition in the playing area before and after games as well. This oversight leads to misunderstandings when players or spectators bring unauthorized gadgets into the venue.
Persistent refusal to comply with the Laws of Chess is penalised by loss of the game (Art. 11.7); Players may not distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever; Penalties escalate through the scale in Art. 12.9, from warning to expulsion
Why people argue about this
People often assume that just being distracted is enough for a penalty, forgetting that it must be done in a manner that annoys the opponent directly, leading to arguments about what exactly constitutes "annoying" behavior and when it crosses into unacceptable territory.
Stalemate: the player to move has no legal move and is not in check (Art. 5.2.1); Dead position: neither player can possibly checkmate (Art. 5.2.2); Agreement: permitted once each player has made at least one move (Art. 5.2.3)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a stalemate is simply when a player can't make a move, forgetting that they also have to be not in check for it to count as a draw under FIDE rules. The confusion arises because players sometimes think they're entitled to declare a draw whenever their opponent has no legal moves, which isn't always the case and doesn't align with Art. 5.2.1.
A player is forbidden to have any electronic device not specifically approved in the playing venue (Art. 11.3.2); If it is evident that a player has such a device on their person in the playing venue, that player loses the game (Art. 11.3.2.2)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that simply having an electronic device nearby is enough to trigger a penalty under Art. 11.3.2, forgetting that it must be on their person in clear view during play for them to lose the game outright. They overlook the crucial detail about it being visible and used improperly.
Players shall take no action that will bring the game of chess into disrepute (Art. 11.1); The arbiter's duties expressly include ensuring fair play (Art. 12.2.1); Agreeing a result in advance, or deliberately losing, is contrary to Art. 11.1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that deliberately losing a game in chess is just about strategy, when in fact it's explicitly forbidden under Art. 11.1 of FIDE rules because agreeing to lose or manipulate outcomes undermines fair play, which is paramount according to Article 12.2.1. The rule doesn't just prohibit weak moves; it targets actions that compromise the integrity and fairness of the game itself.
Bishop: any number of squares along a diagonal, without leaping over another piece (Art. 3.2); Rook: any number of squares along a rank or file, without leaping (Art. 3.3); Queen: any number of squares along a rank, file, or diagonal, without leaping (Art. 3.4)
An illegal move is completed once the player has pressed the clock (Art. 7.5.1); The position immediately before the irregularity is reinstated; First completed illegal move: the arbiter gives two minutes extra time to the opponent (Art. 7.5.5)
Advances one square forward to an unoccupied square (Art. 3.7.1); On its first move it may advance two squares, provided both are unoccupied (Art. 3.7.2); Captures diagonally forward one square only (Art. 3.7.3)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that when a pawn moves for the first time, it can move two squares forward without checking if both are unoccupied, which is actually only allowed in the initial two-step move as per Art. 3.7.2, not on subsequent moves. This oversight leads to disputes over whether a pawn's first move qualifies for that special rule or not.
Win = 1 point; Draw = ½ point; Loss = 0 points
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a draw in chess is automatically given as half a point to both players, forgetting that it's actually awarded only if neither player can claim checkmate. This leads to misunderstandings about who benefits from a drawn game and how points are distributed among the participants.
The arbiter shall see that the Laws of Chess are observed (Art. 12.1); Duties include ensuring fair play (Art. 12.2.1) and supervising the progress of the competition (Art. 12.2.5); The arbiter determines when a flag has fallen (Art. 6.8) and rules on irregularities (Art. 7)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the arbiter's role is limited to simply watching games go by without interference, which they see as micromanaging. However, in reality, the arbiter's duties encompass ensuring fair play and resolving disputes or irregularities, not just supervising progress. This oversight can lead to misunderstandings about their active involvement in game outcomes.
The board is composed of an 8 x 8 grid of 64 equal squares alternately light and dark (Art. 2.1); The board is placed so that the near corner square to the right of each player is light (Art. 2.1); The eight vertical columns are files; the eight horizontal rows are ranks
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the orientation of the board doesn't matter as long as it's set up properly with light squares at each player’s near corner. However, they misunderstand that the official rule specifies a precise orientation: placing the light squares to the right and near corner for each player ensures consistency in notation and understanding across different games and tournaments.
A chessclock has two time displays connected so that only one runs at a time (Art. 6.1); Each time display has a "flag"; flag-fall marks the expiry of a player's allotted time (Art. 6.1); A player must press the clock with the same hand used to make the move to complete that move (Art. 6.2.1)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that pressing the clock with either hand is acceptable under Art. 6.2.1 of chessclock rules, but actually, it's crucial to use the same hand as the one used for making a move to complete it correctly and avoid penalties. The confusion arises because this detail isn't always highlighted in explanations or examples provided by FIDE.
Each player begins with 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns (Art. 2.2); One player controls the light-coloured pieces (White), the other the dark-coloured pieces (Black); The initial arrangement places White on ranks 1 and 2 and Black on ranks 7 and...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the initial arrangement of pieces is purely aesthetic, deciding which side gets lighter-colored squares. However, the actual reason for placing White's pieces on ranks 1 and 2, and Black’s on ranks 7 and 8, is to ensure each player controls their own light or dark-colored squares from the very start, a crucial aspect that affects strategic play throughout the game.
Chess is a two-player game; each controls one colour throughout the game (Art. 1.1); Moves must be made with one hand only (Art. 4.1); Players record their moves in algebraic notation on the prescribed scoresheet, or an approved electronic equivalent (Art. 8.1.1.1)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that in chess, players can switch colors mid-game, which is incorrect according to Art. 1.1 of FIDE rules. Actually, each player controls one color throughout the entire game from start to finish. This misconception arises because many people are familiar with games where players might change sides or roles during play, leading them to believe they could do so in chess as well.
Saying "j'adoube" / "I adjust" before touching allows a player to adjust pieces without being obliged to move them (Art. 4.2.1); Otherwise, touching a piece obliges the player to move or capture it if a legal move exists (Art. 4.3); Touching king then rook obliges castling if legal; touching the ...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that saying "j'adoube" is optional for adjusting pieces without moving them, which leads to arguments when they forget or don't use it. However, the official rule clearly states that touching a piece requires the player to either move or capture it if a legal move exists, regardless of whether they've said "j'adoube" beforehand.
Checkmate ends the game immediately, provided the move producing it was legal (Art. 5.1.1); Resignation: a player who resigns loses immediately, unless the position is one in which the opponent cannot possibly checkmate (Art. 5.1.2); Time: a player who does not complete the prescribed moves in th...