Repetition concerns the relevant position and legal possibilities, not merely a board photograph that looks familiar.

What to do

Keep a complete move record and identify whose turn it is in each repeated position. Include castling and en-passant possibilities when comparing positions, and use the event’s prescribed claim procedure.

A mistake to avoid

Do not assume three repeated checks automatically meet every requirement. The position and right to move must be assessed correctly.

A detail worth checking

The absence of a capture or pawn move does not by itself prove repetition. Positions must still be compared accurately. Use a complete legal example rather than drawing a conclusion from a repeated piece shuttle alone.

Try this practical check

Replay a verified repetition example and mark each occurrence. Explain the difference between recognizing a repetition and making a valid claim in an event.

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Reference and further practice

FIDE Laws of Chess