The touch-move rule applies in official games:
- If you deliberately touch one of your own pieces, you must move it, as long as it has a legal move.
- If you deliberately touch an opponent’s piece, you must capture it, as long as it can be legally captured.
- Once you let go of a piece on its new square, the move is final.
If you only want to straighten a piece on its square, say “j’adoube” (French for “I adjust”) before touching it.
Many casual players ignore this rule, but getting used to it early teaches you to think before you reach for a piece.
Hands are fast. Brains are slow. This rule exists to swap the order.
Related terms: Chess notation · Draw
