Sealed move

A sealed move is used when a game is adjourned, meaning that play stops before the game ends and will continue in another session. The player whose turn it is does not publicly make the next move. Instead, the player writes it unambiguously on the scoresheet, the document used to record the moves, and places the records in a sealed envelope.

The procedure prevents that player from using the entire break to choose a move that had to be committed before the adjournment. Under the guidelines of the International Chess Federation, commonly known as FIDE from its French initials, the player may change the written move until stopping the clock. The envelope is then kept safely by the arbiter, the official responsible for enforcing the rules.

When play resumes, the envelope is opened and the recorded move is played on the board. The game continues from the resulting position. If the notation is ambiguous or the move is illegal, the adjournment rules determine the consequences. The move must therefore identify one precise legal action, not merely an idea or a possible variation.