What is Check in chess?
A direct attack on the king that must be dealt with immediately.
When your king is in check you must either move the king, block the check, or capture the attacking piece. You cannot make any other move. Overlooking a check is an instant loss of pieces or the game.
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- CheckmateThe king is in check and has no legal way to escape - the game is over.
- DrawA game that ends with no winner - both players score half a point.
- Threefold repetitionThe same position occurring three times in a game allows either player to claim a draw.
- Fifty-move ruleA draw can be claimed if 50 moves pass with no pawn move and no capture.
- Perpetual checkAn endless series of checks that forces a draw by repetition.
- Algebraic notationThe standard system for recording chess moves using piece letters and square coordinates.