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 71st FIDE Congress
at Istanbul (Turkey) November 2000, coming into force on 1 July
2001.
In these Laws the words 'he', 'him' and
'his' include 'she' and 'her'.
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PREFACE
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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 judgment and absolute objectivity.
Too detailed a rule might deprive the arbiter of his freedom of
judgment 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:
- do not conflict in any way with the official FIDE Laws of
Chess
- are limited to the territory of the federation in question;
and
- are not valid for any FIDE match, championship or qualifying
event, or for a FIDE title or rating tournament.
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RULES OF PLAY
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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.
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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 which would avoid the 'capture' of the king on the
following move. The player who achieves this goal is said to have
'checkmated' the opponent's king and to have won the game. The
opponent whose king has been checkmated has lost the game.
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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.
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2.2 |
At the beginning of the game one player has 16
light-colored pieces (the 'white' pieces); the other has 16
dark-colored 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:
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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 color, 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 color. 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.
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3.2 |
The bishop may move to any square along a
diagonal on which it stands.
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3.3 |
The rook may move to any square along the file
or the rank on which it stands.
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3.4 |
The queen may move to any square along the
file, the rank or a diagonal on which it stands.
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3.5 |
When making these moves the bishop, rook or
queen may not move over any intervening pieces.
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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.
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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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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
may only be made on the move following this advance and is
called an 'en passant' capture.
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When a pawn reaches the rank furthest from
its starting position it must be exchanged as part of the same
move for a 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.
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3.8 |
a. There are two different ways of
moving the king, by:
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moving to any adjoining square not attacked
by one or more of the opponent's pieces.
The opponent's pieces are considered to
attack a square, even if such pieces cannot themselves move.
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) Castling is illegal:
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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.
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if there is any piece between the king
and the rook with which castling is to be effected.
b. 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 cannot themselves move.
Declaring a check is not obligatory. |
3.9 |
No piece can be moved that will expose its own
king to check or leave its own king in check.
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Article 4: The act of moving the
pieces |
4.1 |
Each move must be made with one hand only.
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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.
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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 color, 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.
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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.
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4.5 |
If none of the pieces touched can be moved or
captured, the player may make any legal move.
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4.6 |
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.
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4.7 |
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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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.
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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 the last 50 consecutive moves without the movement of any
pawn and without the capture of any piece. (See Article 9.3)
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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.
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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.
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6.3 |
Each time display has a 'flag'. Immediately
after a flag falls, the requirements of Article 6.2(a) must be
checked.
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6.4 |
Before the start of the game the arbiter
decides where the chess clock is placed.
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6.5 |
At the time determined for the start of the
game the clock of the player who has the white pieces is started.
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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..
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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.
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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. The clocks 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.
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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.
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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 use his best judgment when determining the times to
be shown on the replacement chess clock.
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6.12 |
If both flags have fallen and it is impossible
to establish which flag fell first, the game shall continue.
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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 penalized according to article 13.4.
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6.14 |
If an irregularity occurs and/or the pieces
have to be restored to a previous position, the arbiter shall use
his best judgment to determine the times to be shown on the
clocks. He shall also, if necessary, adjust the clock's move
counter.
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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 based on information shown in this manner.
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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.
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7.2 |
If a game has begun with colors reversed, then
it shall continue, unless the arbiter rules otherwise.
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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 penalize the
player who displaced the pieces.
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7.4 |
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If during a game it is found that an
illegal move has been made, 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.
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7.5 |
If during a game it is found that pieces have
been displaced from their squares, the position before the
irregularity shall be re-instated. If the position immediately
before the irregularity cannot be identified, 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 re-instated position.
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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.
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.12)
If a player is unable to keep score, an amount of time, decided by
the arbiter, shall be deducted from his allotted time at the
beginning of the game.
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8.2 |
The scoresheet shall be visible to the arbiter
throughout the game.
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8.3 |
The scoresheets are the property of the
organizers of the event.
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8.4 |
If a player has less than five minutes left on
his clock 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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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 12.5
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 E).
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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.
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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 sequential repetition of moves)
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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 be captured or if the right to castle has
been changed temporarily or permanently.
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9.3 |
The game is drawn, upon a correct claim by the
player having the move, if
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he writes on his scoresheet, and declares
to the arbiter his intention to make a move which shall result
in the last 50 moves having been made by each player without
the movement of any pawn and without the capture of any piece,
or
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the last 50 consecutive moves have been
made by each player without the movement of any pawn and
without the capture of any piece.
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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.
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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.
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If the claim is found to be correct the
game is immediately drawn.
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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.
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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.
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Article 10: Quickplay Finish |
10.1 |
A 'quickplay finish' is the last phase of a
game, when all the remaining moves must be made in a limited time.
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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.
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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.
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If the arbiter postpones his decision, the
opponent may be awarded two extra minutes thinking time and
the game shall continue in the presence of an arbiter, if
possible. The arbiter shall declare the final result after a
flag has fallen.
-
If the arbiter has rejected the claim, the
opponent shall be awarded two extra minutes thinking time.
-
The decision of the arbiter shall be final
relating to 10.2 a, b, c.
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10.3 |
If both flags have fallen and it is impossible
to establish which flag fell first the game is drawn.
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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).
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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 to analyze on
another chessboard.
The scoresheet shall be used only for recording the moves, the
times of the clocks, the offer of a draw, and matters relating to
a claim.
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12.3 |
Players who have finished their games shall be
considered to be spectators.
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12.4 |
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.
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12.5 |
It is forbidden to distract or annoy the
opponent in any manner whatsoever. This includes unreasonable
claims or offers of a draw.
|
12.6 |
Infraction of any part of the Articles 12.1 to
12.5 shall lead to penalties in accordance with Article 13.4.
|
12.7 |
Persistent refusal by a player to comply with
the Laws of Chess shall be penalized by loss of the game. The
arbiter shall decide the score of the opponent.
|
12.8 |
If both players are found guilty according to
Article 12.7, the game shall be declared lost by both players.
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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.
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13.5 |
The arbiter may award either or both players
additional time in the event of external disturbance of the game.
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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 player has used all his time. The arbiter shall refrain
from informing a player that his opponent has completed a move.
|
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.
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Article 14: FIDE |
14.1 |
Member federations may ask FIDE to give an
official decision about problems relating to the Laws of Chess.
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