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Can a game of chess go on forever?
Well, in theory, it is mathematically possible for a game of chess to continue indefinitely without infringing the law of repetition. Let me explain how.
In chess, repetition occurs when the same position is repeated three times, with the same player to move. This is known as the threefold repetition rule. If this happens, the game is declared a draw. However, it is important to note that the repetition must occur consecutively for the rule to come into effect.
Now, let’s consider the possibility of an infinite game. To have an infinite game, we need an infinite number of moves. This means that the players would need to keep making new moves without repeating any previous position three times.
In chess, there are a vast number of possible moves and positions. The number of legal positions after each move is enormous. According to some estimates, the number of possible positions in chess is greater than the number of atoms in the observable universe. This means that the chances of repeating a position three times consecutively are extremely low.
If the players are skilled enough and make different moves each time, it is theoretically possible for the game to continue indefinitely without repeating a position three times. However, it is important to note that this would eventually break another rule of chess – the 50 move rule.
The 50 move rule states that if there have been no captures or pawn moves in the previous 50 moves, a player can claim a draw. So, even if the players manage to avoid repetition, they would still need to make captures or pawn moves within 50 moves to prevent the game from being declared a draw.
In practical terms, it is highly unlikely for a game of chess to go on forever. The complexity of the game and the limited time available in tournaments or casual play make it unlikely for players to avoid repetition and continuously make moves for an infinite number of turns.
However, it is worth mentioning that there have been cases where players have reached very high move counts in certain endgame positions. These cases, though rare, demonstrate the potential for games to become extremely lengthy.
While it is mathematically possible for a game of chess to continue indefinitely without repeating a position three times, it is highly unlikely in practice. The vast number of possible positions and the restrictions imposed by rules such as the 50 move rule make it improbable for a game to go on forever.