Explanation
A win is a final result, not merely an advantage on the board. The central way to win is checkmate: attacking the opposing king so that no legal reply exists. The game ends at that moment.
A player can also win when the opponent resigns, runs out of time, or loses through an infringement or competition rule. The last type may be recorded as a , without the game ending through normal play on the board.
The result is written 1-0 when White wins and 0-1 when Black wins. A win normally scores one point, although event regulations may use another system. In certain time-expiration or resignation cases, the result is a if the player who would benefit could not checkmate through any legal sequence, for example because of , when the remaining pieces cannot produce any legal checkmate.
Common confusions
Winning position
An advantage that should lead to victory is not yet a win. The result exists only when the game ends in a way recognized by the rules.
Sources
- 1.Article 5: The Completion of the Game, FIDE Rules Commission
- 2.Article 6: The Chessclock, FIDE Rules Commission
- 3.Glossary of Terms in the Laws of Chess, FIDE Rules Commission
