Expert: Louis Lima - 7/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: Can you accidently move your King into a checkmate position, remove your hand from the King. Your opponents next move would be to take your king?

Thanks,

ANSWER: Dear Bob,

In the situation you outline it is not possible for your opponent to take your king, even if you removed your hand from the king. You must put the king back to its original square and make another move with your king (since you touched it). However if you cannot make a legal move with your king you can make another move.

This is not the case in speed chess. Speed chess is also known as blitz chess and one uses a clock, typically with five minutes or less each side. In this type of chess if you put your king in check, your opponent can take it on the next move. That would end the game.

Hope this answered your question!

Warmly,
Louis Lima

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What is the rule if I moved my King intentionally, remove my hand from the King and the my King is in a Checkmate position. Does my opponent take my King...end of game?

Thanks,  

Answer
Hello Bob,

In the situation you describe you must put the king back where it was and make another move with your king (since you already touched the king). If you cannot make a legal move with the King, then you can choose to make another move with a different piece.

The only situation where your opponent can take the king and end the game is in blitz/speed chess. In this type of chess your opponent can take your King if you put it in a checkmate position. Your opponent would simply just eat yoru King and the game would end. In blitz chess your opponent also does not need to say "check", thus you need to be alert that he/she is checking you, otherwise if you leave your King in a checking position he can take it on the next move.

Warmly,
Louis