ChessRanger
Rules & notation

Fifty-move rule

Either player may claim a draw after 50 moves with no capture and no pawn move.

The counter resets to zero every time a pawn moves or a piece is captured. If 50 moves by each side pass with neither happening, a player may claim a draw; after 75 such moves the arbiter draws the game automatically.

It exists so a player cannot torture an opponent forever in a position with no progress — for instance, an endgame that cannot be won.

Why it matters

It sets a hard clock on conversion: some theoretically won endings (certain six-piece tablebase wins) require more than 50 moves and are drawn in practice because of it.

The mistake everyone makes

Shuffling aimlessly in a winning endgame and letting the fifty-move count run out before you make a pawn move or capture.

Related terms

Threefold repetition
A draw may be claimed when the same position occurs three times with the same player to move.
Fortress
A drawn setup the stronger side cannot break down despite being materially ahead.
Zugzwang
A position where every legal move worsens your position — but passing is not allowed, so you must move.

See Fifty-move rule in your own games

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