There are several ways to draw in chess, and the definitions for automatic draws can vary in some situations. I have grouped them in classes; Honorable, Incompetant, and Sneaky ;)

Draw by agreement - A game or match can be drawn by agreement of both players at any point.

Threefold repetition - If all of the chessmen on the board occupy the exact same squares 3 times with the same person to play, the third repetition constitutes a drawn game.

50 moves without capture or pawn advancement. - If no pawn is moved and no chessmen are captured within 50 moves, the game is a draw.

Time expiration against a bare king. - If a player's time expires while his opponent has only a king, the game is a draw.

Insufficient mating material - If neither players has sufficient mating material the game is drawn.

Stalemate - If it is a players turn, the player is not in check, and the player has no legal moves, the game is stalemated and is a draw.

Perpetual Check - If a player can continually check an opponent, but cannot mate, the player can force a draw by "Perpetual Check"

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