Touch-Move Rule
Touch-Move Rule: A tournament rule requiring a deliberately touched piece to be moved or captured when legal.
In-Depth Explanation
A player who deliberately touches a friendly piece must move it if a legal move exists; touching an enemy piece requires its capture when legal. To adjust a piece without intending to move it, say j'adoube or I adjust before touching it. Online chess does not use touch-move.
Related Rules Terms
En Passant
A special pawn capture rule in chess that occurs immediately after a player moves a pawn two squares forward.
Stalemate
A situation where the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves.
Castling
A special move involving the king and a rook, used to improve king safety and activate the rook.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A tournament rule requiring a deliberately touched piece to be moved or captured when legal.
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