International Chess Tournament Rules

Basic Rules

• The FIDE laws fall into two parts: the "basic rules" and the "competition rules." The basic rules of the game, Artices I through VI, describe the board, the pieces, the permissible moves of the pieces, and the circumstances in which a game is won, lost or tied.

Competition Rules

• The competition rules, Articles VII through XIV, describe the use of a clock, the possibility of irregularities, the way in which a game is to be recorded, an adjourned game, the resumption of an adjourned game, tournament points and the conduct of players during competition.

  A chess clock, the rules specify, 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."

  As for player behavior, the rules provide, for example, that "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 Arbiter

• The final rules concern the role of the arbiter (Article XIII) and the role of FIDE itself (XIV).

  An arbiter "should ensure that a good playing environment is maintained and that the players are not disturbed. He shall supervise the progress of the competition."

  There are several actions that an arbiter may take at his discretion in seeing to it that the rules are observed. He may, for example, issue a warning to a misbehaving player. He may increase the amount of time remaining to that player's opponent. He may declare a game to be lost or even, in the case of the worst offenses, expel a player from a tournament.

FIDE

• Article XIV provides "Member federations may ask FIDE to give an official decision about problems relating to the Laws of Chess."