What does an arbiter do in chess?
A · Advanced · At the board · 4 of 6The arbiter sees that the Laws are followed. They watch the games, settle claims and give penalties, which run from a warning to expulsion from the event. In a standard game the arbiter must not step in except where the Laws say so, and does not tell a player that they have forgotten to press the clock.
How it works
- The job: ensure fair play, keep a good playing environment, see that players are not disturbed and supervise the competition.
- Hands off: the arbiter "must not intervene in a game except in cases described by the Laws of Chess".
- No prompting: the arbiter does not say how many moves have been made, that an opponent has moved or that a clock has not been pressed.
- Flag fall: the arbiter calls it on seeing it.
- Illegal moves: the arbiter acts on seeing one in standard chess.
- Extra time: the arbiter may add time for either player after an outside disturbance.
- Penalties, lightest to heaviest: warning; more time for the opponent; less time for the offender; more points for the opponent; fewer points for the offender; loss of the game; a fine announced in advance; exclusion from rounds; expulsion.
- Explanations: a player may ask the arbiter to explain particular points of the Laws.
- Appeals: a player may appeal against any decision, unless the event's regulations say otherwise.
The glossary has the arbiter, the flag fall, the illegal move, the chess clock, the scoring and the FIDE body.
Tricky cases
A player forgets to press the clock and the arbiter is standing beside the board. Will the arbiter say so?
No. The arbiter "shall refrain from informing a player that his/her opponent has completed a move or that the player has not pressed his/her clock".
Can a player ask the arbiter what the best move is, or whether a move is legal?
No to the first. On the second, a player has the right to ask for an explanation of particular points in the Laws, such as how castling works.
A player signed the scoresheet and then decides the arbiter was wrong. Is it too late to appeal?
No. A player may appeal "even if the player has signed the scoresheet", unless the event's regulations say otherwise.
Does an arbiter in a blitz game call an illegal move?
Yes, if the arbiter sees it before the opponent has made their next move. If nobody acts in time, the move stands.
Why the rule exists
The Laws say plainly that they "cannot cover all possible situations", so they give the arbiter judgement in place of ever longer rules. The limit on stepping in keeps the game between the two players: noticing things, including the clock, is part of playing.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard chess | The arbiter acts on illegal moves and flag falls they observe | FIDE Laws 6.8; 7.5 |
| Rapid and blitz without full supervision | Illegal moves must be caught before the next move | FIDE Laws A.5.2; B.3 |
| Appeals | To an appeals committee, in writing, with a fee, by a deadline fixed in advance | FIDE General Regulations for Competitions 10 |
| Chief arbiter and organiser disagree on the Laws | The chief arbiter's view takes priority | FIDE General Regulations for Competitions 3.3 |
From the rule book
FIDE, Laws of Chess (approved 7 August 2022, applied from 1 January 2023), the Preface and Articles 6.8, 11.9, 11.10, 12 and A.5. FIDE, General Regulations for Competitions, Articles 3 and 10. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FIDE Laws of Chess taking effect from 1 January 2023 (FIDE Handbook E.01).