Page:The chess-player's text book.djvu/28
CHAPTER IV.
THE LAWS OF THE GAME.
The following laws, with some trifling variations, have been in general use for the last fifty years. A few years since they were revised by a Committee of the London Chess Club, established in 1807. and are now universally adopted by all the Chess Clubs of Great Britain.
I.
The Chess-board must be so placed that each player has a white corner square nearest his right hand. If the board have been improperly placed, it must be adjusted, provided four moves on each side have not been played, but not afterwards.
II.
If a Piece or Pawn be misplaced at the beginning of the game, either player may insist upon the mistake being rectified, if he discover it before pla3'ing his fourth move, but not afterwards.
III.
Should a player, at the commencement of the game, omit to place all his men on the board, he may correct the omission before playing his fourth move, but not afterwards.
IV.
If a player, undertaking to give the odds of a Piece or Pawn, neglect to remove it from the board, his adversary, after four moves have been played on each side, has the choice of proceeding with or recommencing the game.
V.
When no odds are given, the players must take the first move of each game alternately, drawing lots to