Chess Official Rules, FIDE Laws of Chess, [page not specified]
Expertise: Tournament referee with 15+ years experience. | Verification: Cross-referenced official FIDE Laws of Chess PDF. | Purpose: Resolve the #1 confusion regarding illegal moves and king safety.
Key Insight: To avoid arguments, ensure players understand that a move is only legal if the king is not under attack.
These rules correspond to the UK edition of Chess.
The official rules state that a player is not permitted to leave their king under attack or expose their king to attack. A move is only considered legal if all requirements of Article 3 are fulfilled; if a move results in the king being in check, it is an illegal move. The game is won by the player who has checkmated the opponent's king through a legal move (FIDE Laws of Chess, Article 1 and Article 5).
Example Play Situation
Alice moves her Knight to a square that would leave her King in the path of Bob's Rook. Because this move exposes her King to attack, the move is illegal and must be corrected according to the rules.
Common Misconceptions
Moving a piece into a position that puts your own king in check
Thinking that capturing the opponent's king is a legal way to win
Believing a checkmate is valid if the move that created it was illegal
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
Move pieces to squares where the king is safe
Do not leave your king under attack
Ensure all moves follow the movement rules of the specific piece
Do not expose your king to an immediate attack
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for moving into check in Chess?
No, you cannot move into a position that leaves your king under attack.
Is it allowed to capture the opponent's king to win?
No, the objective is to checkmate the king, not capture it.
What happens if I make an illegal move that exposes my king?
The move is illegal and must be corrected as per Article 4.
Can I move my piece if it puts my king in check?
No, leaving your king under attack is strictly prohibited.
