Originally posted by ColinDWell, if the exact same position occurs three times in a game, then either of the players can claim a draw. We don't call this a stalemate though, it's a three-fold repetition.
I haven’t yet learnt all the more subtle rules of chess but have heard that if your King moves into the same square three times consecutively it is stalemate. Is this true or is there a rule similar to this?
A stalemate is when a king isn't in check, but can't move any pieces, including the king. Then it's a draw as well. 🙂
Olav
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you may also be thinking of "perpetual check" -- where one player can't mate, but can, and intends to (ie. they lose otherwise) keep checking the enemy king indefinitely, and the enemy king has nowhere to hide.
This isn't technically a draw under the rules, but will always (unless the opponent is a real jerk) be agreed to as a draw, because sooner or later, it'll inevitably end up as either 3fold repetition of position (the king only has so many squares to be chased to, by so many pieces) or 50 move rule draw. (50 move rule: 50 consecutive moves on each side without pawn move or capture = draw)
Originally posted by LivingLegendSo when you say the exact same position occurs, does that include the same positions of both players?
Well, if the exact same position occurs three times in a game, then either of the players can claim a draw. We don't call this a stalemate though, it's a three-fold repetition.
A stalemate is when a king isn't in check, but can't move any pieces, including the king. Then it's a draw as well. 🙂
Olav
Originally posted by Knight TimeActually, the "claim win" button is always there, and you can click it anytime, which will cause it to check and see if a condition exists in which a draw can be claimed. So, pretty much, you still have to be on the lookout for threefold repetitions yourself.
Ther is a option when playing a game to "claim draw" when the three move repetition occurs