How Rated Chess Is Played

The man in the background is World Champion Gary Kasparov, the most powerful chessplayer in history. Kasparov has accomplished superhuman feats, including defeating more than fifty players (all playing separate games against him) simultaneously. The rules Kasparov abides by in his games are the same that everyone else uses, however. Rated chess means that the outcome of the game will determine the new ranking of the players involved within the chess community. This information is examined in more detail in the section about ratings. As a general rule, it is good to play by rated game rules while playing casually as well. Standard tournaments are rated events and the rules are as follows:

1) All the basic rules of chess must be followed.

2) Players must complete all their moves within a predetermined time limit. One of the most popular time limits is for each player to have to complete all moves within half an hour or forfeit the game. Faster time limits are less common, and slower time limits occur as well but are losing ground in popularity to the thirty minute rule.

3) Players cannot retract moves or move a different piece after they have already touched a given piece.

4) Players cannot distract the opponent by speaking or making other rude gestures.

5) Players must have their moves recorded.

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