Forfeit

Most results come from play, but some come from the rules. A player who arrives at the board after the default time loses the game unless the arbiter decides otherwise. The Laws set the default time by the event's regulations, and if the regulations specify nothing, the default time is zero, which means being late at all can lose. Always check the posted rule before the round, because it varies between events. Other forfeits include persistent refusal to comply with the Laws, which is penalized by loss of the game, and having a switched-on electronic device in the playing venue, where the Laws give a loss unless the event rules choose a milder penalty. A player who forfeits scores no point and the opponent normally scores a full point; after persistent refusal to comply, the arbiter decides the opponent's score. Forfeited games are not counted for rating, because rating needs both players to have made at least one move. The practical advice is simple: arrive early, learn the default time in the tournament announcement, and keep phones powered down and stored as the organizer directs. If a problem arises, speak to the arbiter before the round, not after the clock has started.

Also worth reading is Resignation. Resignation is a player's declaration that they give up the game, which ends it as a loss for that player unless the opponent could never checkmate, in which case the game is drawn.

It sits close to Chess clock. A chess clock is a pair of linked timers of which only one runs at a time; after each move a player presses their side to stop their own time and start the opponent's.

Also worth reading is Flagging. Flagging is winning, or claiming to win, on time because an opponent's clock has run out; the flag-fall loses the game unless the other side could never checkmate.

Knowing "Forfeit" is the easy part; what to practice next depends on your rating, and the improvement plans by rating band list the habits worth building at each level.

Related terms

• Arbiter

  The arbiter is the official who sees that the Laws of Chess and the rules of the event are followed, rules on disputes and claims, and can penalize rule breaches during a tournament.

• Chess clock

  A chess clock is a pair of linked timers of which only one runs at a time; after each move a player presses their side to stop their own time and start the opponent's.

• Illegal move

  An illegal move is one that breaks the rules of how a piece moves or leaves your own king in check; in over-the-board play it is corrected, and a second completed illegal move loses the game.

• Resignation

  Resignation is a player's declaration that they give up the game, which ends it as a loss for that player unless the opponent could never checkmate, in which case the game is drawn.

• Rules of chess

  The rules of chess are the Laws of Chess, the document FIDE publishes that sets out how pieces move, how a game ends, how clocks and records work, and how arbiters handle problems.

• Flagging

  Flagging is winning, or claiming to win, on time because an opponent's clock has run out; the flag-fall loses the game unless the other side could never checkmate.

Guides that go further

• How to choose a chess coach

  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?

  Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each.

• The first lesson

  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), Article 6.7, read Oct 21, 2026.
• FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023), Articles 11.3.2.2 and 11.7, read Oct 21, 2026.
• FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023), Article 10.1, read Oct 21, 2026.
• FIDE Handbook B02 FIDE Rating Regulations (effective 1 March 2024), Section 5.1, read Oct 21, 2026.