Rules

Chess is a simple game once you know the rules.

1. The player with the white pieces starts the game.

2. Players take turns making moves, after one player makes a move, the opponent moves. A move must always be made, and players cannot "pass."

3. At the beginning of the game, each player must have 16 pieces properly arranged, and the board must be set so that the square on the far right of each player is white.

4. Two pieces cannot occupy the same square, and a piece cannot capture another piece of the same color.

5. A piece cannot be placed on a square it cannot reach. See piece movement.

6. Once a piece is released on a square, it must stay there. It cannot be moved back.

7. Once a piece is touched, it must be moved, unless the player whose turn it is says "adjust" or "j’adoube" (adjust in French) to rearrange the pieces on the board.

8. The king must be moved before the rook during castling, if it’s done the other way, it is not allowed.

9. The goal is to checkmate the opponent's king. Putting your own king under attack, failing to remove it from check, or capturing the opponent's king is prohibited.

10. The king can get out of check by blocking it with one of its pieces or by capturing the piece giving check. A piece cannot move if doing so would leave the king in check.

11. The player who checkmates the opponent's king is declared the winner of the game.

12. If a player resigns, they lose the game.

13. A game can end in a draw by mutual agreement, stalemate, repetition of moves, perpetual check, or lack of material. (See more details under Game Results)

In competitions, the same rules apply, but a few are added.

1. In competitions, the clock must be stopped with the same hand used to make the first move.

2. A player cannot move a piece if their clock is not running.

3. Moves must be made with one hand at a time.

4. Each player must record both their moves and their opponent's moves on a score sheet using algebraic notation, and these cannot be written before making the move.

5. It is forbidden to distract or disturb other players