Forfeit in chess – definition
Forfeit
Definition
In chess, a forfeit (also called a default or walk-over) is the loss of a game without play, or with play prematurely terminated, because a player violates a rule or fails to appear/continue. Under the current FIDE Laws of Chess, a game is considered forfeited whenever the arbiter awards the full point to one side and zero to the other even though the normal checkmate–stalemate–timeout sequence never occurs.
How a Forfeit Occurs in Modern Chess
The most common situations are:
- No-show or late arrival – Article 6.7 of the FIDE Laws: if a player is not at the board when the session begins (or after a specified grace period, e.g., 15 minutes), the game is forfeited.
- Running out of time before making any move – In fast time-controls a player may let the initial clock run down without ever starting the game; this is recorded as a forfeit rather than a “loss on time.”
- Premature abandonment – Leaving the playing area and refusing to return (e.g., medical emergency, protest, or simple withdrawal).
- Serious rule violation – Cheating, a ringing mobile phone (Law 11.3), refusing to undergo a fair-play check, or making repeated illegal moves can cause an immediate forfeit.
- Disqualification from the tournament – If expelled, all remaining games are recorded as forfeits.
Whether or not a forfeit affects rating depends on moves played. FIDE only rates games in which both players have made at least one move, so a zero-move default does not change Elo figures.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Although no chessboard strategy is involved, forfeits can swing entire tournaments or matches:
- In round-robin or Swiss events a free point dramatically boosts tie-breaks.
- In knock-outs a single default eliminates the offender.
- In match play (e.g., World Championships) a forfeited game counts exactly like a decisive result over the board, altering psychological momentum and preparation plans.
Notable Examples
-
Bobby Fischer vs. Boris Spassky, World Championship 1972 – Game 2
Fischer, unhappy with the cameras and venue arrangements, refused to appear. Spassky was awarded the point, giving him a 2–0 lead before Fischer mounted his famous comeback. -
Veselin Topalov vs. Vladimir Kramnik, World Championship 2006 – Game 5
Amid the “toilet-gate” controversy, Kramnik declined to play unless his private restroom was restored. The arbiter started White’s clock; Kramnik never showed and lost by forfeit. He eventually won the match 8½–7½ anyway. -
Zero-Tolerance Rule, Dresden Olympiad 2008
FIDE enforced a strict “be seated at 0:00” policy. Several players—most famously Chinese GM Wang Yue—were forfeited for arriving seconds late, leading to widespread criticism and a later relaxation to 15-minute grace in many events. -
Mobile-Phone Mishaps
In the 2003 European Championship, GM Ruslan Ponomariov’s phone rang during play, instantly costing him the game. Similar incidents have happened in top-level play despite repeated warnings. -
Team Tactics Gone Wrong
In scholastic leagues, coaches sometimes gamble that an absent star will appear “just in time.” When the gamble fails, the board is forfeited, turning a probable match win into a loss—a practical reminder that logistics matter as much as openings.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- FIDE distinguishes between “forfeit” (no moves) and “loss on time” (some moves). Only the latter is published in rating lists.
- The 1972 Fischer–Spassky incident is the only time a World Championship challenger forfeited yet still won the title.
- In early 20th-century tournaments, organizers often scheduled two rounds per day; missed morning rounds caused frequent defaults, prompting some masters to request later start times “for health.”
- Online platforms automate forfeits: if you disconnect or let the initial countdown expire, the server awards a + / - (win/loss with zero moves) and often applies rating-protection safeguards to prevent abuse.
Related Terms
You may also encounter default, walk-over, no-show, and the zero tolerance rule. All describe circumstances leading to a game being scored without moves actually played.