Threefold repetition

A player may claim a draw when the same position occurs for at least the third time under the required conditions.

The pieces must occupy the same squares, the same player must have the move, and the legal possibilities must be the same. The repeated positions do not need to occur consecutively.

The same position means more than matching pieces

For repetition, the same player must be on move, pieces of the same kind and colour must occupy the same squares, and both players must have the same possible moves. Castling and en passant rights can make two visually identical boards different positions.

Threefold repetition is claimed

A player may claim when the same position is about to appear for the third time after the move written on the scoresheet, or when it has just appeared for the third time and that player is on move. The occurrences do not need to be consecutive.

Starting position · Position 0/8

Fivefold repetition is automatic

When the same position occurs at least five times, the game is drawn automatically under FIDE rules. No player claim is required.