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Chess Rules and Regulations by Maxim La Roux

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Laws of the Game.

The following "laws" are in force in all the principal clubs in this country: I. If a player touch one of his men, unless for the purpose of adjusting it, when he must say "J'adoube," see Law 4; or it being his turn to move, he must move the piece he has so touched.

[Walker gives the following remarks on this law: "When you touch a piece with the bona fide intention of playing it, the saying 'J'adoube' will not exonerate you from completing the move. A Chessplayer's meaning cannot be misunderstood on the point: ana were it otherwise, you might hold a man in your hand for five minutes, and then saying 'J'adoube' replace it, and move elsewhere."]

2. If the men are not placed properly at the beginning of the game, and this is discovered before four moves have been made on each side, the game must be re-commenced. If the mistake should not be found out till after four moves have been made, the game must be proceeded with.

3. When the players are even, they must draw lots for the first move, after which they take the first move alternately. When a player gives odds, he has the option of making the first move, and the choice of men in every game.

[In giving odds, should it be agreed upon to give a Pawn, it is customary to take the K. B. P. If a piece is to be given, it may be taken from either the King's or Queen's side.]

4. If a player should accidentally or otherwise move or touch one of his men without saying "J'adoube," his adversary may compel him to move either the man he has touched or his King, provided the latter is not in check.

5. When a player gives check, and fails to give notice by crying "Check," his adversary need not, unless he think proper, place his King out of check, nor cover.

[If it is discovered that the King is in check, and has been so for several moves past, the players must move the men back to the point at which they stood when check was given If they cannot agree as to when check was first given, the player who is in check must retract his last move, and defend his King.]

6. The player who effects checkmate wins the game.

7. Stalemate constitutes a drawn game.

8. If, toward the end of the game, one of the players has what is called the "mating power," his adversary may demand that checkmate shall be given in fifty moves. If this is not accomplished, it shall be declared a drawn game.

9. The operation of "Castling" cannot be effected when the King is in check, nor when the King or Rook has been previously moved, nor when the space be not clear between the King and Rook, nor when any of the squares over which the King has to pass are commanded by the adversary.

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