Lanarkshire News

Changes to the laws of chess (reproduced with permission from the Chess Arbiters Association

Changes to Laws which apply from 1st July 2009.

These notes should be read in conjunction with the revised Laws.

Many of the changes are cosmetic, attempting to clarify the existing situation e.g. defining a diagonal as joining two adjacent sides and explaining castling in more detail. 

More significant changes are:

4. 4  The touch move rule only applies if a player has the move.  Of course the player should not touch pieces when not on the move.  If he does then this should be dealt with under 12.6 (distracting the opponent).

6.6a.  The official default time is 0 minutes (previously one hour).  However the rules of the competition may specify otherwise.  It is intended in Scotland and England (Wales will probably follow) that a 30 minute default time will apply automatically (10 minutes in the case of Rapidplays) unless the entry form for a tournament states otherwise.  Note that the Arbiter no longer has any discretion in the matter (the rules of the Competition may however give the arbiter some powers in this matter).

6.10b If a clock is found to be faulty not only should the arbiter use his best judgement when determining the correct settings but should also adjust the move counter where appropriate.

7.4b  A third illegal move loses unless it was impossible for the opponent to get checkmate.  In which case the game is drawn.

9.1  It is now acceptable for tournament rules to specify a number of moves before which a game can only be agreed drawn with the approval of the arbiter.

9.2 A change here emphasises that when a king or rook is forced to move it loses its castling rights only after it is moved.  There is no change in practice.

9.4  A player now loses the right to claim a draw under the 50 move rule (9.3) or repetition rule (9.2) if he touches a piece beforehand.  Previously the player could claim until moving the piece.

9.5b  The time penalty for a wrong claim under 9.2 and 9.3 has now been much simplified.  The opponent shall gain an additional 3 minutes.  The player making the wrong claim receives no automatic time punishment (though penalties may apply if the arbiter considers the claim frivolous and/or has distracted the opponent).

12.3b It is forbidden to have in the playing venue a mobile phone or other electronic means of communication (e.g. computer with Internet access) unless it is switched off or the arbiter has given permission.  If the device produces a sound regardless of it having been switched off then the player shall lose.  The opponent shall be given a win unless checkmate is impossible.

12.3c  Smoking is permitted only in the section of the venue permitted by the arbiter.

12.6 Distracting your opponent now includes “the introduction of a source of noise into the playing area”.  The vagueness of this rule could mean virtually anything but it could reasonably be applied to hard soled shoes where there is no carpeted floor and could also be applied to coin and key janglers.

12.10  Being unable to appeal an arbiter’s decision in a 10.2 claim (draw in last two minutes) is now extended to league games etc where no arbiter is present.

13.4e & f) reducing and increasing the points scored now refer only to that game.

13.7a  If someone (player or spectator) observes an irregularity in another game they may inform only the arbiter.

13.7b Unless authorised by the arbiter no-one is allowed to use phones or other communications devices in the playing area and adjoining areas as specified by the arbiter.

The appendices have been rearranged to reflect current importance.  A new Appendix has been added (App F) giving the rules for Chess 960 or Random/Fischer Chess.  The Adjourned game procedures have been removed from the appendices and are now given as a set of guidelines.  This may cloud their legal status.

Appendix A now deals with Rapidplay games. 

A1  Games must now be LESS than 60 minutes (previously 60 minute games were allowed). 

A3  Where there is adequate supervision of play, defined as one arbiter for at most three games (presumably from the start) then the normal Laws will apply.

Otherwise A4 applies. 

A4 The Arbiter now has the right to declare the game drawn after both flags are down.  (4Ad3)

Appendix B deals with Blitz games where the time per player must be LESS than 15 minutes (B1).

B2 Where there is one arbiter per game the normal Laws apply.

Otherwise B3 applies.

B3c now allows an illegal move to be corrected by mutual agreement and without the intervention of the arbiter.

Appendix C deals with Algebraic notation.  The Laws no longer insist that captures be shown by an x nor is it necessary to record check or checkmate.

Appendix E has Rules for Blind and Visually Handicapped Players and remains unchanged.