Chess · Stage 3: Opening principles

Play a real game

A full game needs a few rules that the board does not show: touch-move, the clock, draws and resigning, and how to behave. Learn them here, then go and play: where to play, free.

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Over the board, touch-move applies. If you touch one of your pieces, you must move it, if it has a legal move. If you touch an enemy piece, you must take it, if you can. To straighten a piece without moving it, say "I adjust" first. To castle, touch the king first and move it two squares, then move the rook with the same hand.