Repetition Rules

The repetition rules for Chinese chess are very complicated. Official rules can be found here. They are incorporated into the game to avoid too long games and to reach a solution faster. HiddenLynx uses a set of rules that are highly simplified, but take care of a lot of repeating situations.

The repetition rules for HiddenLynx are as follows:

- If a move would repeat the same board situation for the fourth time within 16 moves1, then the following is considered:

  - If in the situation the opponent's king is under check, the move is illegal and is not allowed (i.e. perpetual check is not allowed).

  - If in the situation any of the opponent's unprotected2 pieces is under attack, the move is illegal and is not allowed (i.e. perpetual chase is not allowed).

  - Otherwise the repeating move is allowed but the game will end and it will be a draw.

NOTE | To see how HiddenLynx informs you of these perpetual moves, see the Illegal Moves section under the User's Help chapter.

1 One move means that either red or black side moves one of its pieces.

2 A piece is considered to be unprotected if there are no other pieces on the same side that can counter attack. A pawn that has not yet crossed the river is always considered to be protected (and therefore can be perpetually chased).