Stalemate and draws
Stalemate is when the player to move has no legal move and the king is not in check. It is a draw, not a win. A game is also drawn when the players agree, when no checkmate is possible (for example, only the two kings are left), or after a draw claim for a repeated position or 50 moves with no capture and no pawn move.
- When you are winning, check that your opponent still has a move.
- A draw by stalemate saves many games for the losing side.
Teach it
- DoSet up the board: black king h8, white king f7, white queen g6. It is Black's turn.
- Say“Black is not in check. But can the king move anywhere?”
- Child“No. Every square is guarded.”
- Say“That is stalemate. Nobody wins. It is a draw.”
- Ask“How could White have won instead?”
- Child“Leave the king a square, or give checkmate.”
Your turn!
White to move. Give checkmate, not stalemate.
Three quick questions
Black has no legal move and is not in check. What is it?
Who wins a stalemate?
Only the two kings are left. What happens?
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Black to move. Checkmate, stalemate, or neither?
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Black to move. Checkmate, stalemate, or neither?
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White to move. Name one move that gives checkmate and one that gives stalemate.
Answers: Stalemate or checkmate?
- Stalemate: no legal move, not in check.
- Checkmate.
- Checkmate: queen g7 (or g8, h1, h2). Stalemate: queen g6 or b1.
Questions parents ask
Is stalemate a win?
No. Stalemate is a draw. The player who has more pieces does not win.
What is the 50-move rule?
If each player has made 50 moves with no capture and no pawn move, a player may claim a draw. After 75 such moves each, the game is drawn without a claim.
What is a draw by repetition?
If the same position comes back three times with the same player to move, a player may claim a draw. After five times, the game is drawn without a claim.
Rules checked against FIDE Laws of Chess, taking effect from 1 January 2023 (Articles 5.2, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.6) on . Found something to fix? Tell us on the contact page.