The US Chess-FIDE rules differences document found here, uschess.org/images/stories/F … 20-rev.pdf, states that: “The US Chess rules do not have an explicit rule requiring moves to be made with one hand (except in blitz). This is implied, however, by rule 16B1. The director may assess a penalty for using both hands to move…”. The wrong rules must be referenced here as I don’t see how it’s implied by rule 16B1 which states “16B1. Analog clocks. Clocks should be set so that each unit will register six o’clock when the first time-control period expires. If there is a second time control of any length of one hour or less it should expire at seven o’clock (even if that requires that the clocks be reset), a third such control at eight o’clock, etc.”
The latest “Just the Rules” column found here, new.uschess.org/fide/just-rules … 9cg0Hpj2dc, states that “There is no rule requiring the use of only one hand to make moves (except for Blitz).”
If it’s true that it is implied by a rule and that a director may assess a penalty for using both hands to move like the US Chess-FIDE rules differences document states, that would make it seem like using one hand to make moves is required under US Chess rules. However, the “Just the Rules” column simply states that under US Chess rules “There is no rule requiring the use of only one hand to make moves (except for Blitz).”
So my questions is whether making moves with one hand is required under US Chess rules or not.
16B1 is a typo. You will find Rule 16C1 relevant: “Each player must operate the clock with the same hand that moves the pieces.” This wouldn’t make sense if you could use both hands (for a single move – there is nothing to stop a player making one move with the left hand and the next move with the right hand).
ETA: Even if this rule were explicit, I would not enforce it (or rule 16C1) as a TD (i.e., I would advise a player not to do it, but would not apply any penalty) unless it was a blitz game, or unless at least one player was in time trouble. With plenty of time on both clocks, it makes no practical difference whether a player uses one hand or two, or which hand is used to press the clock.
Rule 16C1, “Each player must operate the clock with the same hand that moves the pieces”, came into effect as of the fifth edition. It applies to all tournaments, not just blitz.
As to the penalty, I would assume the TD would have discretion, as in:
[b]1C2a. Standard penalty. … the standard penalty assessed by the director is to add two minutes to the remaining time of the opponent of the player not following the rules of chess.
1C2b. Non-standard penalties. … the director may assess penalties either more or less severe than the standard penalty (1C2a). …[/b]
So it seems there is an implied rule to use one hand for each move. Would be good if Tim Just weighed in here since he wrote in his last “Just the Rules” column “There is no rule requiring the use of only one hand to make moves (except for Blitz).”
I would point out that it is quite common for players to use both hands when castling. Provided the King is touched first I have never heard of any complaint being made of this practice.
Thank you for catching this error. I’ve updated the document.
As a matter of style, I prefer rules to be explicit. I also don’t think that “The Use of the Chess Clock” is a reasonable place to have to look to find out whether players must make moves with just one hand, but that’s just me.
Also, in the blitz rules, it is explicitly stated that all moves must be made using only one hand.
FIDE rules make it very clear that all moves, including castling, capturing, and promoting, are to be carried out with just one hand, and that this same hand must press the clock.
IMHO: Implied one hand only move rule Rule 16C1 is not the same as a specifically stated one hand only move rule (like FIDE’s). “Implied” leaves some wiggle room for the Rules Benders Association members. If US Chess wants a rule like FIDE’s then they should create one. Right now we don’t have a specifically stated rule for an only one handed move requirement. IRL (as stated in other posts) most of us sort of understand that a move should be made with only one hand and act accordingly–but still “no specific rule with specific language” exists in US Chess, just an implied rule.
As a TD, I don’t enforce one-hand move except for blitz. (As an arbiter, I enforce it – with warnings.)
As an instructor, I drill it into my students. I do not want one of them penalized for it in a blitz playoff sometime. Same with that silly capturing the King thing in blitz. Do that in a FIDE tournament, and you lose. So learn not to do it at all.
I don’t see how you can keep saying this. Rule 16C1 is about as specific as it gets:
“Each player must operate the clock with the same hand that moves the pieces.”
And this is in the main rules, not just the blitz rules.
Well, I guess I could see some wiggle room if the player uses both hands to make the move, as he might be tempted to do when capturing, promoting, or castling. In that case, you could argue that 16C1 simply requires a player to press the clock with one of the same hands that handled the pieces.
But at least in the case of a “regular” move (neither a capture nor a promotion nor castling), I don’t see any wiggle room at all in 16C1.
The more ambidextrous can promote by placing and then sweeping the little pawn away with one hand while placing a Queen or other piece with the other hand that is holding the promotion piece. I have seen kids make a move and press the clock with the right hand for some moves and then switch and make moves and press the clock with the left hand. Kids even goof around and use both hands to move a piece. What is impermissible is to have one hand ready to press the clock while the other hand is moving the pieces. This is an old tactic used in blitz that has caused more than a few arguments and a couple of melees with punches being thrown in both blitz and regular chess games.
If it is a FIDE rated tournament, the FIDE Laws of Chess apply – without exception. Your obligation to all players in the tournament as an arbiter is to apply the rules uniformly and consistently without favor or exception. When a rule clearly states a penalty, that penalty must be enforced.
Yup. And I am still not going to penalize an eight-year-old girl with the loss of a game because she forgot to press her clock, and five minutes later when she realizes it, presses it with the wrong hand.
