Threefold Repetition is a rule in chess that allows a player to claim a draw if the same position occurs three times during the game, with the same player to move each time. The three identical positions need to have the same pieces in the same squares, the same possible moves for both players, and the same castling and en-passant rights. The repetitions do not need to be consecutive.
In the diagram above, Black is much better, but the weak position of Black's King allows White to force a threefold repetition: 1.Qh3+ Rh5 2.Qb3, threatening mate on g8, 2...Rd5 3.Qh3+ and Black is forced into the loop 3...Rh5 4.Qb3 Rd5.
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When we started adding a playful touch to chess learning, we looked through thousands of videos and hundreds of books to find the best resources out there. Here's our curated selection of the best content we encountered on the concept of Threefold Repetition of the Position. We also included some smaller creators who are growing fast and we believe deserve your attention. Check out these resources if you want to master this drawing technique.
This nice video by NM Robert Ramirez has a quiet pace and is perfect for beginners and intermediates who want to understand all the details about each drawing rule.
If you are a beginner, this book by Levy Rozman is a wonderful starting point. You can read through all of it without needing to use a board. The threefold repetition is explained as well.
This is a very entertaining book. David Smerdon has put together a rich collection of instructive swindles and presents them with great humor. Don't skip this.
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