The touch-move rule in chess

The touch-move rule states simply, that a player who touches a piece must move it. The rule is used in serious competitions and applies only to the player who ihas the move. The player who is not moving may touch pieces, although this is considered poor etiquette. Tournament Director has the right to penalize a player who is touching pieces to annoy or distract the opponent.

A similar rule requires that a player who releases a piece after making a legal move is considered to have made that move. A player who moves a piece to a square without releasing the piece is entitled to move that piece to a different square.

There is no penalty for a player who touches a piece which has no legal moves.

A player who touches an opponent's piece is required to capture it, if possible. Castling is considered a King move, and a player should touch the King before the Rook.