Stalemate

Rules


In Chess, if the player on turn cannot make a valid move, but is not in check, the position is called stalemate. In this case the game ends with a draw. (If the player is also in check, then it is checkmate, and the player loses.)

Examples:

½-½

The queen leaves no space for the king to move, but gives no check, thus the position is a stalemate, and the result is draw.

½-½

The black king blocks the pawn from promotion. If it is Black's turn, it is stalemate.

½-½

White is in huge material advantage, and is about to give checkmate. Black has only one chance: to give check with the rook. Then if White captures the rook, the position is stalemate, otherwise no matter where the white king escapes on the back rank, the rook can give perpetual checks from the second rank.

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