This list represents important and commonly occurring rules for US Chess Rated play. Players should refer to the US Chess Federation’s Official Rules of Chess, 7th Edition, for complete rules and procedures. Key chapters of the rulebook can be accessed here.
Rule 21F: “A player has the right to stop both clocks to ask the director to rule upon a point of law, procedure, or conduct.”
TDs will be on the tournament floor to assist players in the event of any problem or question. To summon a director, raise your hand and keep it in the air until a TD comes to assist you. Remember that a TD will generally not interfere with your game. It is up to you to make a claim. If you wait until after your game is over, the result probably cannot be changed even if your claim was correct. If you think a TD has ruled incorrectly concerning your game, you should ask for another TD and make an appeal immediately.
Rule 16I: “At the time determined for the start of the game, after the board and pieces are set up, the clock of the player with the white pieces is started.”
Rule 16J: “If Black is not present for the start of the game, White shall start their own clock, make their move on the board, and start Black’s clock.”
Rule 16K: “If both players arrive late, the first to arrive must split the elapsed time before starting the opponent’s clock. For example, if the first player to arrive is 40 minutes late, the clocks should be set to reflect 20 minutes of elapsed time on each side.”
Rule 16M, concerning if a clock is not available at the start of a round: “If equipment becomes available only after the round has started, the elapsed time from the beginning shall be divided equally between the two players.”
Rule 11F: “If, before the completion of Black’s 10th move, it is found that the initial position of the pieces was incorrect, or that the game began with the colors revered, then the game shall be annulled and a new game played. However, the players shall begin the new game with their clocks still reflecting the elapsed time each player used in the annulled game… If the error is discovered after the completion of Black’s 10th move, the game shall continue.”
Rule 16B2a: “Digital clocks must be set to produce no sound [i.e. beeping]”
Rule 16B2b: “Digital clocks must be set so that when one player runs out of time in a time control, the opponent's clock continues to run normally." This is variously called “halt on end,” “claim mode,” or “freeze.”
Rule 16B2c: “Players are responsible for setting clock correctly.”
Rule 16C1: “Each player must operate the clock with the same hand that moves the pieces.”
The player whose flag falls first (a.k.a. runs out of time) loses the game. unless the opponent has insufficient mating material or both flags have fallen.
Rule 16E: “The flag is considered to have fallen when either player points this out.”
Rule 13C1: “Only players in a game may call attention to the fall of a flag; it is considered to have fallen only when either player points this out. A director must never initiate a time-forfeit claim. Spectators, including players of other games, who point out the fall of a flag in any manner, may be disciplined by the tournament director…”
No parent, coach, spectator, other player, or TD may make such a claim or bring the fall of a flag to the attention of the players.
Rule 14G: “The game is drawn if both flags are down… and either player points this out. If a player whose flag is still up claims a win on time but does not stop the clock in time to prevent the flag from falling, the game is drawn, unless the flag fall was observed by a director or independent witness.”
A TD may declare a game drawn if they observe a game with both clocks out of time.
Rule 14E: “Insufficient material to win on time.” See Rulebook for specifics; If a player runs out of time but the opponent has insufficient mating material, the game is drawn.
The following rules are enforced for regular-rated time controls.
Rule 15A: “Each player is required to record the game, move after move, as clearly and legibly, as possible… The player must first make the move, and then record it on the scoresheet. The scoresheet shall be visible to the tournament directors and the opponent throughout the game.”
Players that write their move down before moving, erase it, and make a different move may be penalized on the basis of Rule 20C.
Rule 20C: “The use of notes made during the game as an aid to memory is forbidden, aside from the actual recording of the moves, draw offers, and clock times.”
Rule 15D, concerning use of opponent’s scoresheet for assistance: A player, while their own clock is running, may ask to borrow their opponent’s scoresheet to fill in missing moves.
Rule 15C: “If either player has less than five minutes remaining in a sudden death time control and the time control includes less than 30 seconds of time increment or time delay then, both players are excused from the obligation to keep score for the remainder of the game.”
The notation requirement may be waived under special circumstances.
Rule 10B: “A player on move who deliberately touches one or more pieces, in a manner that may reasonably be interpreted as the beginning of a move, must move or capture the first piece touched that can be moved or captured.”
Rule 10A: “A player who is on the move and first expresses the intention to adjust (e.g., by saying “j’adoube” or “I adjust”) may adjust one or more pieces on their squares. "
Other relevant rules: 10E Accidental Touch of Piece; 10F Appearance of Adjustment; 10G Accidental Release of Piece.
Rule 11A: “If it is found that one of either player’s last ten moves was illegal and neither player is in time pressure, the position shall be reinstated to what it was before the illegal move. The players do not recover the time used after the illegal move. The game shall then continue by applying Rule 10, The Touched Piece, to the move replacing the illegal move. If the position cannot be reinstated, then the illegal move shall stand.
If either player has less than five minutes left on their clock, under Rule 11D1 the threshold for claiming an illegal position is two moves.
Rule 11D: “If a player completes an illegal move by pressing the clock… the stand penalty specified in Rule 1C2a applies. If the opponent has completed a move subsequent to the illegal move, the standard penalty shall not apply.”
The standard penalty from Rule 1C2a is to add two minutes to the remaining time of the opponent of the player not following the rules of chess.
Rule Variation 11H1, Director as Witness Only, is in effect. The TD will not intervene in a rated game to point out an illegal move. Players must do so by pausing their clock and summoning a TD.
Per Rule 12F, announcing check is not necessary. It is the responsibility of the opponent to notice the check. A player who does not notice the check may suffer consequences (see the touch-move rule).
A player who checkmates the opponent’s king, proving the mating move was legal, wins the game (Rule 13A). Capturing the king does not win the game, and is often the result of an illegal position (see Illegal Positions and Moves).
Rule 13B: “The player whose opponent resigns wins the game. This immediately ends the game. Saying I Resign or tipping over the king are relatively clear ways to resign”
If you think your opponent is resigning but they haven’t clearly said “I resign,” it is best practice to confirm their intent.
Per Rule 14B [Draw by] Agreement:
If you want to offer a draw to your opponent, you should do so after you make a move but before you start your opponent’s clock. For example, you move a piece, say “I offer a draw,” and then press your clock. Your opponent may decline the draw by saying so or by moving a piece. A draw offer is valid, and may not be retracted, until it is accepted or declined by your opponent. If both players agree to a draw, then the game is over regardless of previous checkmate, stalemate or illegal positions.
For information on claiming draws based on threefold repetition and the 50-move rule, see Rules 14C and 14F respectively.
If a player offers a draw before making a move, the draw offer is still valid until their opponent completes their next move.
Ties occur when at the end of the tournament, multiple players end up with the same score (1.0 for a win, 0.5 for a draw, 0.0 for a loss). Various tiebreak methods are then implemented to rank such players in the final standings.
Rule 34C: “Tiebreaks are not used for cash prizes, which are divided evenly among the tied players, [adjusting for class/under prizes].”
Please try to keep as quiet as possible on the tournament floor so that you do not disturb other players. You may not speak to anyone while your game is in progress unless you have asked a TD to be present. This is so your opponent cannot accuse you of receiving assistance. You may not consult notes, chess books, computers, or other materials during the game. If there is a problem of any kind during your game, call a TD immediately. If you wait until after your game is over, the result probably cannot be changed even if your claim was correct. If you need to go to the restroom while your game is in progress, you must use the restrooms designated for tournament players. You do not need to ask permission from the TD to use the restroom.
No interference in any game by spectators or other players will be tolerated. Potential penalties include expulsion from the tournament. Only players involved in the game may intervene in the game to point out irregularities. This should be done by raising your hand to summon a TD. If you witness something in another game that requires a TD’s attention, please summon the TD.
The use of cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, or any other electronic device is not permitted in the tournament hall (with the exception of approved electronic notation devices or medical devices). DEVICES MUST BE TURNED OFF IN THE PLAYING HALLS. Smartwatches should be taken off as well. If a cell phone rings or causes any other disturbance, the player will be assessed a time penalty on the first offense, and loss of game declared for each repeat offense during the tournament. A player using their cell phone or other prohibited device while their game is in progress without TD permission will be ruled an automatic loss. We strongly encourage players to leave their cell phones with their parents or coaches. If a player brings a cell phone or device into the Playing Hall, it must be turned off and stowed in a designated basket/bin (if provided), or otherwise a back-pack, purse, or chess bag for the duration of the game. The player must not take it to the bathroom or anywhere else. If a player is found to have a communication device or chess engine-capable device in their possession outside the playing hall while their game is in progress, they will receive an automatic loss. Please let the TD know prior to the start of the tournament if any of this is not possible and/or if you must or are expecting a call while you have a game in progress.
At the end of a game, both players should agree on the result and mark the score on the pairing sheet in the tournament hall. 1 = Win, 0 = Loss, ½ or 0.5 for a Draw. If the players do not agree on a result, or have questions regarding whether the game has ended (i.e. whether a position is checkmate/stalemate or not), they should summon a TD.
Rule 15H: “Both players, not just the winner, are responsible for registering the result.”
If someone notices an incorrectly reported score, they should notify the TD immediately.
Spectators have no special privileges. Maintaining a playing environment where players can focus on their games with minimal distraction overrules any spectator’s desire to watch games. While spectators are allowed inside the playing hall, they may be asked to leave for any reason, or no reason. Spectators must also follow the electronic device policy. Spectators using an electronic device within the playing hall will be asked to leave without warning. Spectators may not make claims or otherwise interfere in an ongoing game. Spectators should notify the tournament director if they observe incidents of illegal assistance, outside interference, or distractions in the playing hall.
If you have any relation to a player you are observing (friend, family, coach, etc.), you should stand behind them or otherwise outside their range of visibility. This is to prevent any claims of illegal assistance against you or the player. Communication with players with a game in progress is prohibited, and may result in penalties for the player. If a spectator needs to communicate with a player during their game (i.e. in case of emergency), they need to do so with the approval and presence of a TD.
To maintain a standard of play for any non-rated sections, play will adhere to the US Chess Rules with the exception that TDs may intervene in games at their discretion to address egregious irregularities. Notation is not required for non-rated play.