50 move rule

Can a chess game go on forever if neither player can make progress or decides to resign? It turns out that it can't, thanks to the 50-move rule! Here's everything you need to know about this important chess rule:

What Is The 50-Move Rule?
The 50-move rule states that a player can claim a draw in chess if no one moves a pawn or captures a piece for 50 consecutive moves. In this case, a move consists of each player moving a piece once.

In over-the-board chess, a draw is not mandatory under the 50-move rule. A player needs to claim it. However, an arbiter can intervene and declare a game drawn if no one makes a capture or moves a pawn for 75 consecutive moves. 

Instead, online games automatically end with the 50-move rule. This way, players who want to make a draw don't need to worry about counting the moves.

Why Is The 50-Move Rule Important?
The 50-move rule is important for keeping a player who has no chance of winning from playing on. Without this rule, a player could try to win a drawn game by annoying or tiring out their opponent, encouraging them to resign.

The 50-move rule can also save a player from losing on time.