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Chess Rules for Touching Pieces

Chess is an ancient game thought to have originated more than 1,400 years ago what is now in northern India or Afghanistan. The game is played internationally by people of all ages and has a very prestigious following. Like any game of strategy, chess has its own unique rules for play. With respect to the touching of chess pieces, there are both stated and customary rules governing when and how you may touch the pieces on the playing board.

Touching Pieces During Your Move
- If you touch it, you must move it is a basic rule in chess.
  
  The basic rule governing the touching of chess pieces is that if you touch one or more of your chess pieces, you must make a move with the first piece you touch. The exception is if a player announces first that he is only adjusting the piece on the chess board. This declaration must be made before touching any chess piece. If the piece touched cannot legally be moved, then you may make any legal chess move.
Touching Pieces During a Castle
- The first piece touched is the first piece moved.
  
  In the castle move, the first piece touched is the piece that must be moved first. In other words, if you touch the rook first, you must move the the rook first. If you touch the king first, you must move the king first. Once the first piece is released, then the castle must be completed. If both pieces are touched at the same time, and a castle is not allowed, then you must determine if you can make a legal move with the king before being open to any other move.
Touching the Chess Piece of an Opponent
- If you touch an opponent's piece, you must legally take it.
  
  If you touch an opposing player's piece, you must take the piece in a legal move. If you touch both your own piece and one of your opponent, you must move his piece if it was touched first, or take the piece of you opponent if it was touched first. If you touched both pieces at the same time, it is up to your discretion which course of action to take. If neither piece may be moved legally or taken, then you may make any legal move.
Releasing Your Chess Piece
- If you release your chess piece, it must stay.
  
  Once you've moved a chess piece to a new space on the board and then released it, you can't move it to another space on the board during that move. As long as you hold the piece, you can change its destination.
Violations of the Rule
- Rule violations can cost you the game.
  
  If an opponent witnesses a touching violation during tournament play, he should stop the game clock and consult an official. If there are no witnesses, the opponent may not be able to substantiate the charge. It is the final judgment of the official how to proceed. All players should adhere to the rules in order to uphold their own integrity, as well as the integrity of the game.

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