The phrase is used to give warning from a player to the opponent that the player is about to touch a piece on the board, typically to centralise it on its square, without the intent of making a move with it.
What does Jadoube mean?
I adjust
an expression of an intention to touch a piece in order to adjust its placement rather than to make a move. Word origin. literally: I adjust.
What does I adjust mean in chess?
J’adoube
“J’adoube” is a French term that literally translated means: “I adjust.” It is universally regarded as the acceptable way of informing your opponent that you are merely adjusting your pieces in an over-the-board (OTB) game.
What happens if you accidentally touch a square?
So long as the hand has not left the piece on a new square, the piece can be placed on any accessible square. Accidentally touching a piece, e.g. brushing against it while reaching for another piece, and also adjusting a piece, does not count as a deliberate touch.
Is it possible to make a square without a square?
You are right that there seems at first to be a chicken-and-egg problem here. It is possible to make an accurate square without having an accurate square to check it, but you need things that are straight. Suppose you can obtain two pieces of wood that have at least one flat, straight side. Those will be the outer sides of your square.
Can a player adjust a piece without moving it?
A player who wants to adjust a piece on its square without being required to move it can announce the French j’adoube (“I adjust”) before touching the piece (Hooper & Whyld 1992:425). While j’adoube is internationally understood, a local language equivalent such as “adjusting” is usually acceptable.
When do you adjust a piece do you have to move it?
A player who wants to adjust a piece on its square without being required to move it can announce the French j’adoube (“I adjust”) before touching the piece (Hooper & Whyld 1992:425).
