Editing Rules of chess (section)

=== Touch-move rule ===
{{Main|Touch-move rule}}
The [[touch-move rule]] is a fundamental principle in chess, ensuring that players commit to moves deliberated mentally, without physically experimenting on the board. According to this rule, a player who touches a piece with the intention of moving it must then move it if legally possible. This rule also applies to capturing: a player who touches an opponent's piece must capture it if a legal capture is available. Special considerations apply for castling and pawn promotion, reflecting their unique nature in the game.{{sfn|FIDE|2023|loc=article 4.3}}

A player who touches a piece to adjust its physical position within a square must first alert the opponent by saying ''J'adoube'' or "I adjust".{{sfn|FIDE|2023|loc=section 4.2}}{{efn|''J'adoube'' /{{IPA|ʒadub}}/, from the verb ''adouber'' which is obsolete French except in chess (meaning "to touch") and in chivalry stories (meaning "to knight", cf. "[[Accolade|dub]]"), is always understood. The national-language equivalent may be used if the opponent is known to understand it but should be avoided in international tournaments and against a foreign opponent.}} Once the game has started, only the player with the move may touch the pieces on the board.<ref>{{Harvcol|Schiller|2003|pp=19–20}}</ref>