Draw

A draw in chess is attained in any of the following ways:

• Draw by Agreement: the players agree to a draw
• Stalemate: the side who's turn it is to move is not in check, but has no legal moves
• 50-move rule: if neither a piece has been captured, or a pawn advanced, within the last 50 moves at any time during the game
• Threefold repetition rule: the same player has repeated the same move three times in a game (the moves do not have to be consecutive)
• Impossibility of checkmate

In a timed game additional possibilities exist. In some forms of blitz chess, one side can demand a draw when the clock of both sides is below a certain threshold, such as 20 seconds, even though the other side may be clearly ahead.

Draws by stalemate and impossibility of checkmate are automatic.

A draw by agreement can be made at any time, but once offered cannot be withdrawn; if the opponent makes a move it is considered to be declined.

Draws by 50-move and threefold-repetition are optional but must be claimed with the arbiter; once a claim is made it is considered an offer and cannot be withdrawn, and the opponent can accept before the arbiter makes a ruling.

Under the laws of chess, if neither a piece has been captured, or a pawn advanced, within the last 75 moves at any time during the game the draw is automatic, and also if the same player has repeated the same move five times during a game.

In tournament play a draw awards 1/2 point to each player.