Announcing check
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The laws of chess do not require you to say "check". You won't find any club players saying it.
In some cases there really is no debate, but in others, it's not so straightforward. The only reason I can imagine for saying check is so that both players are aware that it's check. But in some sense this is insulting, any club player can tell when a move is check, s/he doesn't need to be told. Announcing check in a tournament scenario will be viewed as rude no matter what your intentions.
On the other hand, I have been in some friendly games where I put my opponent in check and I can tell they don't notice and are considering illegal moves. It's a little embarassing when they make an illegal move and I have to point it out. So maybe in friendly games where there is a danger of overlooking it's worth saying.
I couldn't imagine playing a game where several moves in a row are check and I say it every time. That would just be silly.
Sometimes when your playing with a good friend, someone who knows you would not try to be rude to them, there are cases to say check. For example, if they play what would otherwise be a really good combination, but it fails because you get to play a check at some point, then saying check might be appropriate as you're probably calling attention to something they missed. Again, I think this is only appropriate in a friendly game with someone you know well.
Quixotical wrote: The laws of chess do not require you to say "check". You won't find any cllub players saying it.
I'm not quite sure that this can be a correct statement (in an absolute sense) as I have been a club player for 29 years, moreover I know other (usually aged) club players who also announce check. I can accept that this is true in your experience.
I'm not sure what's proper... I usually announce check in-person when playing a beginner.
I also was taught to announce "check", and I probably will continue to. But I can see the reason for not announcing it to good players.
In tournament play most players do not announce check. However there is no rule saying you can , or cannot say check. When I have played casual games check was often announced. I have even seen some players say "queen check" when your queen was attacked. This was only in casual games though ot rated games.
Ray_Brooks wrote: Quixotical wrote: The laws of chess do not require you to say "check". You won't find any cllub players saying it.
I'm not quite sure that this can be a correct statement (in an absolute sense) as I have been a club player for 29 years, moreover I know other (usually aged) club players who also announce check. I can accept that this is true in your experience.
Fair enough. My comment was a bit too generalised 
I will be clearer - In my experience you will seldom find experienced tournament or club players whom announce "check"
Yes, I think it should still be on the 'don't list' regardless of how loud it is. I think it is just a custom for beginners to get used to the game. If you are at least at the intermediate level and are playing tournament or club chess, I think you should stop the habit. The players are smart enough to see what is going on. I remember having to be corrected on this when I first started going to clubs.
Reb wrote: Quix......my cat is purdier than yourn.
Yeah but mine would win in a fight. 
I too have come across older players who announce 'queen' on attacking your queen. I think its a good habit not to say check (if its a habit not to say something) as it benefits you in blitz finishes if your opponent doesn't notice and also would give you an automatic win in a blitz tournament if they didnt notice and made a move that didnt get them out of check.
I used to play an old chap who also used to announce all his moves! Very odd.
Is it proper to announce "CHECKMATE!"
I like to say "Checks In The Mail" right before I make my move and yell "Check!" when I do. Then in return my opponent inevitably laughs and slowly moves his rook to block my check and uncovering his Queen while whispering "checkmate" ever so softly to me.
I was taught to say check on the king. With learning players I will announce that their queen is about to be taken. Playing online is new to me. I have had two players ask me not to announce check online in the comments box to the side of the chess board. I just let them know I was taught to annouce check, and since they requested for check not to be announced I honor the request. Also because of the uniqueness of online chess, the computer will not allow you to make an illegal move. Moving a piece that takes the king out of check.
i was always taught to announce check when the king was in danger and they normally say it at school. i seem to sometimes not notice and even occasionally my opponent doesn't either but other people point it out. but i have always been taught to say check, and it has almost become a habit for me.
I guess you anounce check so that the other player doesn't make a move which does stop it. I have gone through a game where I realized that I have been in check for 4 moves and neither of us realized.
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I always announce check in all forms of over-the-board chess. I do this not to distract or annoy my opponent, but because I was taught this is the "correct" thing to do. Recently I had reason to visit a site that claims to be an authority on chess etiquette, and was surprised to find my habit on the list of "don'ts":
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=Chess%20etiquette
To my mind the author of this article fails to examine the case of the "quiet announcer"... I announce check just loud enough for my opponent to hear.
Is that the same as loudly announcing check? All comments and viewpoints appreciated, anecdotes on the subject especially welcome.