diff --git a/pgx/experimental/chess.py b/pgx/experimental/chess.py
index 36313d069..125b4f5f1 100644
--- a/pgx/experimental/chess.py
+++ b/pgx/experimental/chess.py
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ def from_fen(fen: str):
         halfmove_count=jnp.int32(halfmove_cnt),
         fullmove_count=jnp.int32(fullmove_cnt),
     )
+    # default GameState carries the startpos in hash_history[0]/board_history[0]; clear both
+    # so the restored position does not inherit a phantom repetition/observation entry
+    x = x._replace(hash_history=jnp.zeros_like(x.hash_history), board_history=jnp.zeros_like(x.board_history))
     legal_action_mask = jax.jit(_legal_action_mask)(x)
     x = x._replace(legal_action_mask=legal_action_mask)
     x = _update_history(x)