Knowing legal moves is the foundation. A tournament adds procedures for clocks, notation, draws, disruptions and fairness. Read those procedures beforehand so that a browser feature is not mistaken for a complete tournament rule.
In this guide
Before the first round
Check the discipline, time control, schedule and scoring. An all-play-all event differs from one pairing players round by round. Tie-breaks also need to be established beforehand; the most recently won game does not automatically settle every final placing.
A private practice series can use simpler agreements. Record them before starting and make colour changes and result recording clear. A fair arrangement gives both sides the same information instead of inventing a new standard during a dispute.
Touching, executing and recording
FIDE regulates touching and adjusting pieces. Selecting with a mouse is a different action.
Further reading: FIDE Laws of Chess (2023)
A chess clock manages two time budgets
Establish when a move is complete, how the clock is switched and what happens after a disruption. Do not independently restart the timing or correct a disputed position without following the prescribed procedure.
Our displayed timer measures elapsed duration rather than deducting a limited budget per player. A hidden timer, paused demonstration or browser switch therefore does not automatically implement an official interruption rule.
Recognising a draw is not always claiming it
The rules guide explains that our browser automatically ends certain repetition and move-count cases. A physical tournament may use different evidence and claim procedures. Establish who makes the ruling and how the position is recorded.
A recorded move sequence helps only when it is complete and belongs to the correct game. Preserve the position during a dispute and request the appropriate ruling. A similar-looking board without identical rights need not constitute repetition.
Distinguish study tools from prohibited assistance
Hints, undo, demonstrations and computer analysis can be useful study tools. Their availability is not permission to use them during a human game. Agree assistance before a private match; official events follow their own regulations.
Our live rooms are private playing spaces rather than FIDE tournaments. They award neither official titles nor federation ratings. A game there does not create a persistent human-versus-human ranked win on our site.