The Beauty of the Touch-Move Ruling

When playing chess online the game is likely to observe the touch-move ruling. Almost all of them do. Some players decry the ruling but others approve of it. It is recommended that, whether online or traditional, chess should always be played with the touch-move ruling in effect.

Touch-move means we are obligated to move whatever chess piece we first touch. We cannot touch a piece and then opt to move another. Whatever piece we touch, whether intentionally or accidentally, that we move on that turn. In online chess parlance, whatever we first "click" on, that we move. Some players have the tendency to recall a move just done and change it with another. Some online games allow this but with a corresponding point deduction.

The better punitive option here is to deduct points from time remaining whenever a player opts to recall a move or refuses to abide by the touch-move ruling. Time is essential in the game, and players will not want anything deducted from their time allotment needlessly. But the best option is to simply abide by the rule. When we have touched or clicked a piece we determine to have that piece moved on that turn. This fosters discipline and professionalism.

The touch-move ruling helps us develop an attitude for accuracy. Players who make a move and withdraw it, then make another one and withdraw it again, show an inaccurate behavior and mind. It's like aiming a gun and shooting, only to decide that what we shot wasn't really our target. So we have another target aim at and shoot again. This is dangerous.

Accurate players who confidently abide by the touch-move rule look mature, strong, and stable players. In fact they can win over the enemy psychologically by maintaining this attitude. This tight yet aggressive play can always intimidate opponents. Online, this attitude is manifested by our readiness to move with commitment and determination. Some players would click on the piece and take long before they let it rest on a square.

Some worse players click on a piece and make it glide all over the board, like a bird trying to land here and there, and then linger on a corner some more before finally landing on a square. The good thing to do is promptly click on a piece and move it to a square. Period. This shows a character of strength and confidence.

The touch-move ruling is for the tough and mean. It shows strong character and unwavering determination.