What is Threefold repetition in chess?
The same position occurring three times in a game allows either player to claim a draw.
The positions need not be consecutive - as long as the same position (same pieces, same turn, same castling rights, same en passant options) appears three times, a draw can be claimed. Perpetual check is the most common way this happens in practice.
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- 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.
- PGN (Portable Game Notation)The standard text file format for saving and sharing chess games.
- FEN (Forsyth-Edwards Notation)A compact text string that describes the exact state of a chess position.
- MistakeA move that significantly worsens your position, but is less severe than a blunder.