Chess: Who started this rule of " Draw after 50moves"?

Question

is it 50 moves for both players? When can a player activate this rule?

Answer 1

The rule actually starts from the last pawn move or last capture of any kind.  For example, if no one moves a pawn or captures ANYTHING for 50 FULL* moves the game is drawn.  You could go 49.5, and if the next move is a pawn move or capture, the count resets back to 0...if it is NOT a pawn move or capture, then the game is a draw (there are exceptions noted in the rules, as there are some positions that are winning that take longer than 50 moves...if I am not mistaken about the rules.)

* (a move by EACH SIDE = 1 move:  1) e4   c5   is 1 move, not 2 moves)

Answer 2

Rules starts when either player has only the king left.  Both player's moves count in the 50 moves.  

Whoever started it must be *really* pissed off... imagine playing the game for hours without a checkmate. ^_^

Answer 3

In the Knight, Bishop and King against a lone King endgame, you have to checkmate your opponent within 50 moves, otherwise your opponent can claim a draw though the 50 moves rule in chess.

50 moves for the White and 50 moves for Black.

Answer 4

that is a stupid rule

Answer 5

Ruy Lopez in 1561