--- title: "Adjusting a piece in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/adjusting-a-piece.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/adjusting-a-piece" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "Adjusting a piece means straightening one on its square; the Laws allow it only to the player on the move. The answer is to announce it first." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/touch-move-rule.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/illegal-move.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rules-of-chess.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Adjusting a piece in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. Adjusting a piece means straightening one on its square; the Laws allow it only to the player on the move. The answer is to announce it first. Adjusting a piece means straightening one on its square; the Laws allow it only to the player on the move, who must first say "j'adoube" or "I adjust" to show they do not intend to move it. Pieces get nudged, knocked slightly off-center or left standing between [squares](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/square.md). Because touch-move says that touching a piece with intent means you must move it, players need a way to tidy the board without penalty. The answer is to announce it first. Saying "j'adoube", French for "I adjust", or "I adjust" in plain English before touching the piece makes your intention clear. Only the player whose turn it is may do this, and only the player whose clock is running may adjust pieces at all. If you do not say the words and you touch a piece, other than by an obviously accidental brush, the [arbiter](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) will treat the contact as intent and enforce the [touch-move rule](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/touch-move-rule.md). A few practical points: say the phrase out loud, before the hand reaches the piece; do it only on your own time, never in your opponent's; and if a piece is lying on its side or has been knocked over, pause the clock and ask the arbiter, because that is a displaced piece and a separate rule applies. This courtesy takes two seconds and prevents arguments, so make it automatic from your first tournament. Also called: J'adoube. Once "Adjusting a piece" is familiar, the next question is what to work on at your rating, which the [improvement plans by rating band](https://georgelichess.com/improve.md) answer with game and puzzle data. ## Related terms - [Touch-move rule](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/touch-move-rule.md) - [Arbiter](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) - [Illegal move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/illegal-move.md) - [Chess clock](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md) - [Chess pieces](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece.md) - [Rules of chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rules-of-chess.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. ## Sources - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Articles 4.2.1 and 4.2.2), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Article 6.2.5), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Article 7.4), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Touch-move rule in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/touch-move-rule.md) - [Arbiter in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) - [Illegal move in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/illegal-move.md) - [Chess clock](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md) - [Chess pieces](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece.md) - [Rules of chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rules-of-chess.md) - [Chess terms: Rules, notation and equipment](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)