Tournament Rules Every Player Must Know
The essential rules that govern competitive chess - avoid costly mistakes.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: Knowing the rules is not optional in competitive chess. I once saw a player lose a winning position because he picked up a piece to scratch his nose and his opponent claimed touch-move. Learn the rules before you sit down to play.
Essential Rules
- Touch-move rule - If you touch a piece, you must move it (if a legal move exists). If you touch an opponent's piece, you must capture it (if a legal capture exists). To adjust a piece without being obligated to move it, say "I adjust" or "j'adoube" before touching it.
- Clock usage - Press the clock with the same hand you use to move pieces. Do not hover your hand over the clock or slam it. Your move is not complete until you have pressed the clock.
- Draw claims - You can claim a draw by threefold repetition (the same position has occurred three times) or the fifty-move rule (fifty moves without a pawn move or capture). You must claim the draw before making your next move, and the arbiter will verify it.
- Illegal moves - If you make an illegal move and your opponent notices, the move must be taken back and a legal move must be played. In some rule sets, two illegal moves result in a loss. Always double-check your move is legal before pressing the clock.
Behavior and Conduct
Tournament chess requires respectful behavior. Do not talk during games, do not disturb other players, and do not leave the playing area without permission from the arbiter. Mobile phones must be off and out of sight - a ringing phone can result in an immediate loss.
If you have a dispute with your opponent, do not argue at the board. Stop the clocks and call the arbiter. The arbiter's decision is final, and arguing only creates a bad atmosphere.
Shake hands before and after every game. Win or lose, conduct yourself with grace. Your reputation as a player includes your behavior as much as your results.
Understanding Pairings and Standings
Most tournaments use the Swiss system, where players with similar scores are paired against each other. After the first round, you play someone with the same result (win, loss, or draw). This means your opponents get stronger as you win and weaker as you lose.
Standings are determined by total points: one point for a win, half a point for a draw, and zero for a loss. Tiebreaks (Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, etc.) are used when players finish with equal scores.
Tournament Rules FAQ
What happens if I accidentally knock over a piece?
Set it back up on your own time. If the position cannot be reconstructed from memory, the scoresheets will be used to restore it. Call the arbiter if there is any disagreement.
Can I offer a draw at any time?
You can offer a draw after making your move but before pressing the clock. Repeatedly offering draws when the position does not warrant one can be considered unsportsmanlike and the arbiter may intervene.
Professor Archer says: The rules exist to keep the game fair and the competition respectful. Embrace them as part of the beauty of chess. A game played under proper rules has a dignity that casual play cannot match.
Quick Quiz
What must you say before adjusting a piece on its square without being obligated to move it?
- Nothing - just be careful - If you touch a piece without announcing your intention to adjust, your opponent can invoke the touch-move rule.
- "I adjust" or "j'adoube" (Correct) - Correct. Announcing "I adjust" or "j'adoube" before touching a piece exempts you from the touch-move obligation.
- "Time out" - "Time out" is not a recognized chess term. The correct phrase is "I adjust" or "j'adoube."
- Ask your opponent for permission - You do not need permission. Simply announce "I adjust" before touching the piece.