Chess Basics: Stalemate

In an earlier lesson, we learned about one way a chess game can end: checkmate, which is how a player wins a game. That’s not the only way a game can come to a close, though–many games result in a draw, the chess term for a tie. Today, we’ll learn about a special type of draw called a stalemate, an ending commonly reached by beginners.

What Is a Stalemate in Chess?

Stalemate is a type of draw that occurs when one of the two players is not in check but can’t make any legal moves with their pieces. If a player can’t play their turn–passing on a turn is not allowed in chess–the game can’t continue and ends in a tie. Take the position below, for example: 

It’s Black’s turn to move, but none of the available squares are safe for their king to go to because the white queen controls them, as shown by the red arrows. Black is not in check but has no moves to make, so the game has reached a stalemate.

For players in a losing position, forcing a stalemate can be a great way to avoid a loss. Players who are close to checkmating their opponent should be careful to avoid a stalemate so they can secure the win.

Stalemate: Not All About the King

A position is not a stalemate simply because a player's king has no legal moves to make. As long as at least one of the player's pieces can move, the game can go on.

In the position below, the black king is trapped on the h8 square by White's queen, but the black pawn on b4 is still able to advance:

Before declaring a game a stalemate, double check each piece to make sure none of them have opportunities to move.