Chess is often celebrated as a game of infinite possibilities, but in the world of competitive play, games cannot actually go on forever. To ensure tournaments run smoothly and players aren’t subjected to tests of physical endurance rather than mental skill, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has established specific rules to end games that have reached a stalemate in progress. One of the most important, yet sometimes misunderstood, regulations is the 75-move rule. This rule serves as a mandatory “stop sign” to prevent games from dragging on indefinitely.
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The Foundation: Understanding the 50-Move Rule
To understand the 75-move rule, one must first look at its “mother,” which is the 50-move rule. The purpose of both rules is to prevent a player from playing on indefinitely in a position that cannot be won.
The concept of limiting moves is ancient. A precursor to modern chess actually featured a seventy-move rule, and the famous priest Ruy López introduced a fifty-move version in his 1561 book. Over the centuries, the number of moves allowed fluctuated based on the opinions of the era’s masters; for instance, Pietro Carrera thought 24 moves were sufficient, while La Bourdonnais argued for 60.
By the 1800s, the rule evolved so that the move count would reset if a capture occurred or a pawn was moved. This is a critical mechanic that remains in the rules today: pawns and captures are the primary ways the “clock” of these rules is reset to zero.
The Era of Exceptions and Extensions
For a significant portion of the 20th century, the chess world struggled with how many moves were “fair.” In the early 1900s, analysts like A.A. Troitsky discovered that certain endgames—such as two knights versus a pawn—theoretically required more than 50 moves to force a checkmate.
Because of these discoveries, FIDE revised the laws several times to allow for exceptions:
• In 1928, rules were enacted stating that if an endgame theoretically required more than 50 moves, twice that number (100 moves) were allowed.
• In 1952, FIDE allowed for 100 moves in specific positions, but only if the players agreed to this extension before the game started.
• By 1989, the rule was changed to 75 moves for a specific list of endgames, including Rook and Bishop versus Rook, and Queen versus two Bishops.
However, as computer technology improved, “endgame tablebases” began to uncover positions that required even more moves—some as many as 517 or 545 moves to force a win. These findings made the rules increasingly complex and difficult for human players and arbiters to manage. Eventually, the rule was simplified back to a universal 50 moves for all positions to maintain consistency.
Why the 75-Move Rule Was Created
If the 50-move rule already exists, why did FIDE introduce the 75-move rule in 2014?. The answer lies in the requirement to claim the draw.
Under the 50-move rule, the game is not automatically over. One of the players must make a claim to the arbiter to have the draw recognized. If both players are stubborn, ignorant of the rules, or simply too exhausted to count, the game could continue for hundreds of moves without the arbiter being allowed to intervene.
The 75-move rule (Article 9.6.2 in the FIDE Laws of Chess) changed this by making the draw automatic and mandatory. It states that a game is a draw if “any series of at least 75 moves have been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture”. Unlike the 50-move rule, the arbiter must intervene and end the game at the 75th move, even if neither player asks for it.
The Precedence of Checkmate
There is one very important exception to the 75-move rule: checkmate takes precedence. If a player delivers a checkmate on the very same move that would have triggered the 75-move rule, the checkmate stands, and that player wins the game. This ensures that a player who has finally navigated a difficult endgame to find a mate is not “robbed” of their victory at the very last second.
Real-World Impact: The 2022 World Rapid Case Study
The practical importance of the 75-move rule was highlighted in a high-profile game during the 2022 World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Almaty. The game was between Grandmasters Ghaem Maghami Ehsan and Khusenkhojaev Mustafokhuja.
In a tense moment, Khusenkhojaev’s “flag fell,” meaning he ran out of time on his clock. Normally, running out of time results in an immediate loss. However, after reviewing the game’s recorded moves (the PGN), the officials realized that the players had actually completed 75 moves without a capture or pawn move just one move before the time ran out.
Because the 75-move rule is automatic, the game had legally ended in a draw the moment the 75th move was completed. Everything that happened afterward—including the player running out of time—was considered invalid. The result was changed from a win for Maghami to a draw for both players. This case proved that the 75-move rule is a powerful “hard stop” that overrides almost everything else on the board.
The Arbiter’s Role and Fair Play
The Arbiters Commission of FIDE has clarified that once a game crosses that 75-move threshold, the result is a draw under any circumstances. This includes any events described in the rules regarding time (Article 6) or the completion of the game (Article 5).
However, it is important to note that this rule does not grant players a “free pass” to behave poorly. The recommendation of the commission states that while the game result is a draw, penalties related to fair play or player conduct (Article 11) still apply. You cannot use the automatic nature of the 75-move rule to cheat or distract your opponent without facing consequences.
Conclusion: A Rule for the Modern Game
The 75-move rule is a vital tool for the “smooth-running” of modern chess tournaments. It acknowledges that while chess is a game of deep strategy, it is also a sport that must fit within a “definite expected time”. By providing a clear, non-negotiable limit, the rule reduces the stress on players during long, grueling endgames where exhaustion might otherwise lead to endless, unproductive play.
As the world of chess continues to evolve with better technology and faster tournament schedules, rules like these are “vital” to ensure the game remains compatible with the “ever-rebuilding world”. It simplifies the arbiter’s job and provides a safety net for players who might be too focused on the board to keep an accurate move count.
In summary, the 75-move rule acts like a safety circuit breaker in a building’s electrical system. While the 50-move rule allows a resident (the player) to flip the switch if they notice a problem, the 75-move rule is the automatic fuse that trips to prevent the whole system from overheating, ensuring that no game—no matter how stubborn the players—can go on forever.
FAQ: The 75-Move Rule in Chess
1. What is the 75-move rule in chess?
It is a FIDE rule that automatically declares a game drawn after 75 consecutive moves by each player without any pawn move or capture.
2. How is the 75-move rule different from the 50-move rule?
The 50-move rule requires a player to claim the draw, while the 75-move rule is mandatory and enforced automatically by the arbiter.
3. Does the arbiter have to stop the game at 75 moves?
Yes. Once the 75-move threshold is reached, the arbiter must end the game as a draw, even if players want to continue.
4. Can players ignore the 75-move rule if both agree?
No. The rule is compulsory and cannot be overridden by player agreement.
5. Does checkmate override the 75-move rule?
Yes. If a checkmate occurs on the same move that would trigger the 75-move rule, the checkmate takes precedence and the game is won.
6. Why was the 75-move rule introduced if the 50-move rule already existed?
It was created to prevent games from continuing indefinitely when players fail or refuse to claim a draw under the 50-move rule.
7. Can a game still be lost on time after 75 moves?
No. If 75 moves without a pawn move or capture have already occurred, the game is legally a draw, regardless of what happens afterward.
8. Does the 75-move rule protect players from penalties for bad behavior?
No. While the result is a draw, arbiters can still apply penalties for misconduct or fair-play violations.
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300. Send me a challenge or message via Lichess. Follow me on Twitter (X) or Facebook.