In many cases, the USCF Rules for Blitz play differ significantly from the USCF rules for regular or quick play. Some of the more interesting variances are summarized here. Once again, it is not my intent to make this an exhaustive catalog of every difference in these rule sets. Those interested may refer to USCF's Official Rules Of Chess . For questions during or relating to a blitz tournament event, see the tournament director for that event.

Blitz 1B: Posting of Time Controls

"Time controls, including the use of delay or increment, are to be stated in advance publicity and must also be announced or posted at the site."

Blitz 2C: Choice of Timer

"The player with the black pieces chooses the standard timer."

Blitz 3: Initial Position & Time

"Before play begins, both players should inspect the position of the pieces & the setting of the clock, since once each side has completed a move the position on the board & the time on the clock remains as set."

Blitz 3A: Castling

"If the king & queen are set up incorrectly, it is legal to castle short on the queenside & long on the kingside."

Blitz 3A: Illegal Position &/or Move

"If an illegal position is created or an illegal move made without the opponent making a claim, the position stands & a claim not allowed when the opponent has determined a next move."

Blitz 4: Clock Hand

"Each player must press the clock with the same hand that moves the pieces, using one hand to both move the pieces & to press the clock."

TD Tip: This rule, the use of one hand in all Blitz moves, also applies to castling & captures.

Blitz 5: Clock Position

"The tournament director may state at the start of the event the direction the clocks are to face, and the player with the black pieces then chooses the side of the table on which to sit."

Blitz 6: Touching the Clock

"Except for pressing the clock, neither player should touch the clock except:

Blitz 6A: To straighten it.

Blitz 6B: If a player knocks over the clock, a penalty may be assessed.

Blitz 6C: If your opponent's clock does not tick [This wording obviously needs updating.], you may press his side down & re-press your side; however, if this procedure is unsatisfactory, please call the director.

Blitz 6D: Each player must always be allowed to press the clock after his move is made.

Blitz 6E: A player should not keep a hand on or hover over the clock."

Blitz 7: Defining a Win:

"A game is won by the player:

Blitz 7A: Who has legally mated his opponent's king.

Blitz 7B: Whose opponent resigns.

Blitz 7C: Whose opponent's flag falls first, at any time before the game is otherwise ended by stopping the clock prior to the player's own clock's flag fall, & who has mating material. Mating material consists of (at a minimum) two minor pieces, a pawn, a rook or a queen provided it isn't a position where one could claim it to be a draw under section 8.

Blitz 7D: Who, after an illegal move is completed by the opponent, takes the king (if the king is in check) or claims the win & stops the clock, before the player determines a move & provided the player has sufficient mating material as defined in rule 7C.

Blitz 7E: An illegal move doesn't negate a player's right to claim on time, provided it is made prior to the opponent's claim of an illegal move. If the claims are simultaneous, the plyer who made the illegal move loses."

Blitz 8: Defining a Draw:

"A game is a draw:

Blitz 8A: If one of the kings is stalemated.

Blitz 8B: By agreement between the players.

Blitz 8C: If the flag of one player falls after the flag of the other player has already fallen & a win has not been claimed, unless either side mates before noticing that both flags are down.

Blitz 8D: If one player has insufficient mating material when the opponent's flag falls or makes an illegal move. 'Insufficient Losing Chances' (ILC) claims are not allowed."

TD Tip: Blitz tournaments allowing 'Insufficient Losing Chances' (ILC). claims should be advertised & announced in advance. The TD should be aware that common practice has shown that in addition to the official Blitz rules that 'Insufficient Losing Chances' (ILC) claims are upheld only:

1. If both players have just one identical piece & if neither side can show a forced win.

2. In K+B vs. K+B of opposite colors, with only one pawn on the board, provided there is no forced win.

3. K+rook pawn vs. K can be claimed as a draw once the defender is on the rook file in front of the pawn. K+P vs. K can be claimed as a draw once the defender is immediately on the square directly in front of the pawn as long as it's not the 7th rank.

4. K+R+rook pawn vs. K+R is a draw if the pawn is blockaded by the king & there is no immediate win.

5. The claimant has a significant material & positional advantage.

http://www.wachusettchess.org/Rules.php