The 3 repetition draw rule has no bearing on the number of possible chess positions. And for the number of possible moves in a game the 50 moves with no capture or pawn move rule is a much more stringent limit.

BTW, the 3 repetition rule only comes into play is one of the players invokes it ... games can legally have more than 3 repetitions, but not more than 5 repetitions.

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kevindamm 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I didn't know it required a player to invoke it, I was basing the statement on chess implementations I've read (and written) where it kicks in automatically... but the 5-time limit you mention still supports my case that there's an upper limit. As long as the number of pieces remains the same, there are a finite number of arrangements for them so eventually (after a finite number of moves) a position would be repeated enough times. If a piece is captured (or converted) it resets this but still yields a finite number of new arrangements. Eventually you either cannot avoid the repetition, or a win condition is met, or a draw for insufficient material.

Compare this to, say, the L game, where the number of moves is unbounded.

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jibal 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Your "case" that there's a limit isn't in question ... as I said, the 50 move rule is a far more stringent limitation. And those 50 moves cannot include repetitions--they are captures and pawn moves, which are irreversible.

If you read my comment that you responded to carefully, you will find that it is precise and accurate--as I said, the repetition rule has no bearing on the number of positions.

This horse is dead, so I'm moving on.

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Scarblac 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

The 50 moves rule also needs to be claimed by one of the players.

However there is a 75 move rule and a 5 time repetition rule that are both automatic (don't need to be claimed).