Rules News

Chess Scotland Rules Book

Chess Scotland has produced its own version of the new Laws of Chess which came into operation in July 2005. Entitled Chess Scotland Rules Book, copies can be obtained from the Chess Scotland Office for £3.00 per copy.

Laws of Chess - writing down moves

Rules Change: From the new FIDE Laws of Chess, Article 8.1, players may
not write down their moves in advance.

This is an important change because some players have become accustomed, or even encouraged, to write their intended move down, consider it, then make it on the board. This practice is now explicitly forbidden. You must make your move, and only then record it.

Captains are requested to remind their players of this change before matches in the same way that was done last season with the Mobile Phones rule (which is now also a FIDE rule). We suggest that for this season both items are mentioned.

Amendment to fine for Match Defaults

At the last council meeting it was felt that we had to take action regarding the large and growing number of defaults which occurred last season. There has thus been a change to the amount of the fine incurred for a match default - Rule 4.4 - from £5 to £10.

The relevant part of the rule rule now reads;
"Any team that defaults a match at any time throughout the season will be penalised £10 for each offence."

So please, try not to default matches, and if it is completely unavoidable then ensure the opposing team captain is informed in good time. Please also be courteous in the case of individual board defaults and notify opponents of the situation in advance if you know that a default is going to occur.