The modern rules of chess took their original form in Italy during the sixteenth century. As the game became more and more popular the rules began to be modified slightly until the early nineteenth century. From that time on chess has stayed fundamentally the same in the current form that we see it today. Standard chess rules are widely accepted by national and international governing bodies like USCF (United States Chess Federation) and FIDE. Rules of chess can differ only in two different areas; basic and competitive play. There are some basic rules to playing chess, and there are rules to when you play chess in a tournament or competition. While fundamental movement rules stay the same, there are some notable differences. Let’s take a look at how chess rules differ.
Basic Rules of Play
The game of chess is played between two opponents who move their pieces strategically across a chess board. The player with the white pieces begins the game with the first move. The objective of each player is to get the opponent’s king under attack in a way that there is no legal movement option for the player. The player who succeeds in trapping the king which is called check or check mate wins the game. If it so happens that neither player can possibly checkmate then the game is a draw.
In a basic game of chess as well as a competitive game the board is composed of 64 squares which alternate colors of white and black. The nearest corner square to the right of you will always be white. If it’s not, then turn the board accordingly. Each player will have 16 chess pieces. One king (symbolized by a king’s crown), one queen (symbolized by a queen’s crown), two rooks (castle shaped pieces), two bishops, two knights (piece shaped like a horse), and eight pawns (the smallest pieces of the game). Each piece has its own movement rules which are followed specifically in both during leisure play and during competitive or tournament play. Player conduct is of course universal in all chess games, but some slight differences may exist.
In a basic more friendly game of chess everyone knows the rules but is a little more easy going if an illegal move is made, or something needs to be changed. Competitive play is much different; this is where the rules differ.
The chess clock- all players must make moves within a certain clocked time. A player is responsible for starting and stopping their own clocks and it must be done with the same hand each time.
If an illegal move has been made during the game the position before the irregularity will be reinstated.
In competitive play, all moves are recorded on the score sheet. The score sheet remains visible to the arbiter throughout the entire game. At the conclusion of the game both players must sign both score sheets.
During competitive play none of the players are allowed to refer to notes, or other sources of information; advice from anyone watching is also prohibited. During serious play players are also forbidden to bring cell phones or other electronic devices to communicate with sources of help. If something like a cell phone rings, they forfeit the game.
The basic rules of chess are the same worldwide in regards to what and how pieces move and how the board is set up. How chess rules differ is when you play in a relaxed setting or if you are playing in a tournament or competition.
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