What can a chess team captain do during a match?
I · Intermediate · Captains, results and disputes · 2 of 4Very little, once play starts. The captain picks the line-up, signs the match result and files any appeal. During play the captain must not discuss any position or stand behind the opposing team, and may speak to one of their own players only in front of an arbiter.
How it works
- Before play: selects the fixed board order and the players for each round, and attends the technical meetings.
- After play: signs the protocol showing the results of the match.
- Appeals: submits them on behalf of the players.
- Speaking to a player: the captain first approaches the arbiter, then speaks in the arbiter's presence, in a language the arbiter understands. The same applies if a player wants to speak to the captain.
- Positions: the captain "must not discuss any position on any board during play".
- Where to stand: not behind the opposing team.
- Coming and going: the captain leaves or re-enters the playing venue only with the arbiter's permission.
- Devices: at the Olympiad a captain may not have an unapproved electronic device in the venue.
- Playing captain: the captain may also be one of the players, and may appoint a deputy in writing.
The glossary has the arbiter, the draw offer, the board, the resignation, the FIDE body and the scoring.
Tricky cases
Can a captain tell a player to offer or accept a draw?
It depends on which regulation governs. The General Regulations for Competitions say a captain "is entitled to advise the players of his team to make or accept an offer of a draw" unless the event says otherwise. The 2022 regulations on captains say the captain "is not entitled" to. The event's own rules decide.
Can a captain tell a player the score in the match?
Not as a way round the rules. The captain may not intervene in a game, and anything said to a player must be said in front of an arbiter.
Does a captain need to be a strong player, or a licensed trainer?
No. A captain must have a FIDE identification number, an email address and a phone number. No licence of any kind is required.
Can a captain be removed?
Yes. The chief arbiter may remove a captain who consistently fails in their duties, and the federation may then appoint a replacement.
Why the rule exists
A captain can see all the boards and knows what the match needs, which is information no single player has. The rules let the captain manage the team and nothing more. Routing every word through an arbiter makes sure a quiet chat cannot carry a hint about a move.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| General Regulations for Competitions | Captain may advise on draw offers unless the event says otherwise | GR 7.7 |
| Captains and Heads of Delegation (2022) | Captain is not entitled to advise on draw offers | Captains 3.2.5 |
| Chess Olympiad 2026 | Captains "shall refrain from interfering in any way" and may convey their players' demands | Olympiad 2026 Regulations 4.11.5 |
| Captain with a device at the Olympiad | Barred from the venue for the rest of the event | Olympiad 2026 Regulations 4.11.3 |
From the rule book
FIDE, General Regulations for Competitions (Handbook C.05), Article 7. FIDE, Captains and Heads of Delegation (applied from 1 July 2022), Articles 3 to 5. FIDE, Chess Olympiad 2026: Regulations for the Main Competition, Articles 4.2 and 4.11. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: FIDE Handbook sections C.05, C.07, C.10 and D.02.