Chess tournament rules for your first event

If you know how the pieces move, you can play a tournament. On top come a few FIDE competition rules that rarely matter at home but are applied in every rated event.

At the board

Touch-move: deliberately touching one of your pieces means you must move it; touching an opponent's piece means you must capture it if you can.
"I adjust": say it before straightening a piece.
Press the clock with the same hand you moved with.
An illegal move is corrected and your opponent gets extra time; repeated illegal moves lose the game.

Draws, notation, conduct

Offering a draw: after making your move and before pressing the clock.
Recording moves: required in standard games, not in rapid or blitz.
Phones: switched off and put away; one that rings during play can cost the game.
Quiet: no talking during play except to offer a draw or call the arbiter.

The arbiter

If something goes wrong, stop the clock and call the arbiter rather than arguing. A one-day rapidplay or the lowest section of a congress is a good first event; see the calendar.

Do I have to write down my moves?

In standard games yes, in rapid and blitz no.

What happens after an illegal move?

It is corrected and your opponent receives extra time; a repeat loses the game.

When can I offer a draw?

After making your move and before pressing the clock.

What is a congress? · ECF ratings · Chess tournaments in England

Updated: October 2026. The federation's own regulations are authoritative: FIDE Laws of Chess.

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