Expert: Wuyanbu Zutali - 12/2/2011

Question
Hi,
I'm coaching young scholastic players, and I've seen in matches more than once where one player announces checkmate when it is not checkmate.  In one instance, it was said so convincingly that my player hung his head in defeat and reached out to shake hands.  The other chess coach and I looked at each other and we decided to inform him that it wasn't checkmate and direct him to continue playing.  Was this the wrong way to handle the situation?  Is there a rule guiding this sort of situation?

What if the non-checkmated player had admitted defeat, but then noticed that it wasn't checkmate?

What if there was a clock involved and the "losing" player also stopped the clock?

I would really appreciate some guidance on this because it seems to be happening a lot!
Thank you!

Answer
Great question!

This is a common occurrence in scholastic chess.
Inexperience and too much respect for their foe can be fatal.
USCF rules say you cannot intervene in games at any time.
Of course, coaches do it all the time in Novice games.
In rated games I would not interfere.
The best advice I can give you is to work on checkmates, all kinds.
Explain to your students what is and what is not a checkmate.
Teach basic checkmates such as with two rooks and a King, one rook and a King, Queen and King vs King.
Show them how to mate with two bishops, and what is a flight square  these drills will cut down on false mates.
Lastly, tell them don't believe what their opponent says, believe what the Board says!

I hope this helps!