--- title: "Forfeit in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/forfeit.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/forfeit" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "A forfeit is a loss awarded without a finished game, for example when a player arrives after the default time, persistently refuses to follow the Laws." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/illegal-move.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resignation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rules-of-chess.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/flagging.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Forfeit 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. A forfeit is a loss awarded without a finished game, for example when a player arrives after the default time, persistently refuses to follow the Laws. A forfeit is a loss awarded without a finished game, for example when a player arrives after the default time, persistently refuses to follow the Laws, or has an unapproved electronic device in the playing venue. 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](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) 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 called: default. Also worth reading is [Resignation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resignation.md). 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](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md). 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](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/flagging.md). 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](https://georgelichess.com/improve.md) list the habits worth building at each level. ## Related terms - [Arbiter](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) - [Chess clock](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md) - [Illegal move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/illegal-move.md) - [Resignation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resignation.md) - [Rules of chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rules-of-chess.md) - [Flagging](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/flagging.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) (Article 6.7), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Articles 11.3.2.2 and 11.7), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Article 10.1), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Handbook B02 FIDE Rating Regulations (effective 1 March 2024) (Section 5.1), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/B022024 [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 - [Arbiter in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) - [Chess clock](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md) - [Illegal move in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/illegal-move.md) - [Resignation in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resignation.md) - [Rules of chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rules-of-chess.md) - [Flagging in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/flagging.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)