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Touch-Move, Clocks, and Time Controls

Touch-move is a rule for games played over the board. A clock limits the time each side may use.

The starting position with a clock

Both clocks start with the same time. White moves first, and White's clock runs while White thinks.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Touch-move in practice

White touches the knight on g1 with the plan to move it. If the knight has a legal move, White must move the knight.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Time runs out

A side with no time left on the clock loses the game, unless the other side has too little material to give checkmate.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • Touch-move means a piece you touch must move if it has a legal move.
  • Touch-move also means a piece you touch to capture must be captured if a legal capture exists.
  • A clock gives each side a set amount of time. A side that runs out of time loses, unless the other side cannot give checkmate.
  • A time control states the time for the game. A common time control gives each side a set number of minutes for the whole game.
  • Some time controls add a small amount of time after each move. That added time is called an increment.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

What does touch-move require?