Rules

What is a threefold repetition in chess?

  • Rules
  • Legality
  • Result

Threefold repetition is a drawing rule: if the same position with the same player to move and same rights occurs three times, a draw can be claimed. It often appears through repeated checks or repeated defensive shuffling.

What to look for on the board

  • Whether the move is legal.
  • Whether the rule changes the result.
  • Whether a special case applies.

Related terms

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