Stalemate in chess
How to play chess
What is stalemate in chess?
Stalemate is a draw. It happens when the player whose turn it is has no legal move, and their king is NOT in check. The game ends immediately in a draw, with each side getting half a point.
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The rules
- In the diagram, Black to move has only a king, and every square he could go to is attacked, but he is not in check. It is stalemate.
- It is a way for the weaker side to save a lost game, so look out for it when you are winning.
- The difference from checkmate: in stalemate the king is not attacked.
- Stalemate is most likely when one side has almost no pieces left.
Common mistakes
- Winning side: taking away every move from the enemy king by accident when you have a huge material lead.
- Not knowing the trick when you are losing. A stalemate can save you.
Remember
No legal move and not in check is a draw. Do not stalemate when you are winning.