questions for chess veterans

Sort:
wik8

in legitimate chess tournaments and/or your own casual games, what do you do when your opponent thinks that they're checkmated but you can see a legal move?  for example if your opponent looks at the board for his move, acknowledges a mate and extends his hand, are you obligated to inform your opponent that they have a legal defense? or would this be considered rude?

additionally, do you announce checkmate when you play?  i have noticed that this is uncommon at grandmaster level, presumably because the top pros like to resign before the mating move.

waffllemaster

At a tournament if they extend their hand and give a handshake thinking they've lost then the game is over regardless of the position.  You could point out it's not mate if you want... that would be really nice.  Yeah they might think it's rude or be embarrassed.  You're not obligated by rules or courtesy to tell them.

In a club game it's up to you.  I've even agreed to keep playing after the time has run out, or even offer take backs and things like this.  Casual games it's completely up to the two players.

In tournament chess the only time you're supposed talk to your opponent is to offer a draw, accept/decline a draw, or resign.  If there's a dispute like an illegal move you stop the clock and talk to the director / arbiter.  Even in club games you generally don't say check or checkmate, and depending on how you do it this could be considered rude as if suggesting your opponent is so unskilled they don't notice.

At both clubs and tournaments new players sometimes say check, and I've never seen someone be offended by it.  Usually the new player is politely told not to speak during the game and announcing check and checkmate aren't required.  In fact if you continued to say check and checkmate at a tournament you may have your opponent or a player at a board near you complain to the director for being a distraction.

CrimsonKnight7

They may see a mate you don't, or even think their position is hopeless. A person can resign at anytime, thats regardless if there is a mate, or not.

I generally agree with WM, they may follow those guidelines where he is, I used to always say check, checkmate, even castle, lol. I used to say adjusting when adjusting a piece as well. I would also wish my opponent good luck, and shake his hand before the game started.

waffllemaster

Well... yeah, before the game starts you can talk lol.  And I forgot about "J'adoube" or "adjust."

I can't imagine someone saying check and even castle lol :)  They must have been scholastic events?

waffllemaster
LongIslandMark wrote:

I may someday be in a formal tournament - Assuming you are not suppose to talk except as WafflleMaster details, what's the protocol when either of these things happen:

- Your opponent moves to a square but it's not really well-centered and you would like it adjusted.

- You opponent doesn't notice they are in check and moves some other piece and hits the clock (i.e., they make an illegal move).

Only when your clock is running, say "adjust" or "J'adoube" and then adjust the piece.  By saying this you're not bound by the touch move rule for that moment.  Note don't do it on your opponent's time, talking and adjusting the pieces while their clock is running can be considered a distraction and isn't proper.  Even draw offers, wait for your turn.

If an illegal move is made early on, I'd just point to the piece and they'd notice and take it back.  Usually the penalty is a few minutes off your clock which wouldn't matter early on anyway which is why I might not bother.  If we're late in the game though I'd probably make the claim.  Hit the pause button on the clock and find the director and claim an illegal move.  If they try to argue like it didn't happen it's your word against theirs, and if there are no witnesses the TD has to make a judgement call.

TheGreatOogieBoogie

Pieces should be kept firmly in the center of their squares, picked up and placed neatly without twisting.  In casual games it's legal to slap their hand and go, "No!  The felt must stay!" but that's the only time I have the opportunity to do that really. 

CrimsonKnight7

Actually WM, they were regular tournaments. Granted that was in the mid 80's. I thought I was being courteous, by stating my intention to castle, and by saying check. No one ever complained, because of it, perhaps they were scared of my appearance.( I was in my mid 20's, and was pretty muscular ). I did not always have to say checkmate, because most people resigned before that.

wik8

thanks everybody for these answers from 12 years ago. i hope all are doing well and your chess and individual lives are flourishing @CrimsonKnight7 @waffllemaster @TheGreatOogieBoogie