Meaning of j'adoube | Babel Free

Definitions

Spoken by a player before adjusting a piece on the chessboard, to indicate that one is not making a move in the game.

Examples

“Only the player having the move⟳ may adjust one or more pieces on their squares, provided that he/she first expresses his/her intention (for example by saying “j’adoube” or “I adjust”).”

“The English text reads: ‘Provided that he first expresses his intention (e.g. by saying “j’adoube” or “I adjust”), the player having the move⟳ may adjust one or more pieces on their squares.’ […] From Harry Golombek’s column on page 26 of The Times, 2 December 1967, with regard to the touch-piece and j’adoube rule⟳: […] ‘Matulović-Bilek was a highly interesting game marred by an unpleasant dispute. On move⟳ 38 the Yugoslav champion Matulović is alleged to have⟳ taken back a move⟳, then to have⟳ assured his opponent that he had said “j’adoube” and made another move⟳.”

“Of course, you can say⟳ "adjust" or "I adjust" as well, but "J'adoube" is recognized worldwide as the same thing—this distinction could be important if you play⟳ against someone who doesn't speak⟳ your language in an OTB game.”

CEFR level