What is Stalemate in chess?
A draw where the player to move has no legal move and isn't in check.
Stalemate is a draw, not a win - a crucial rule. Many winning positions get thrown away because the stronger side accidentally leaves the opponent with no legal move.
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- CheckA direct attack on the king that must be dealt with immediately.
- CheckmateThe king is in check and has no legal way to escape - the game is over.
- DrawA game that ends with no winner - both players score half a point.
- Threefold repetitionThe same position occurring three times in a game allows either player to claim a draw.
- Fifty-move ruleA draw can be claimed if 50 moves pass with no pawn move and no capture.
- Perpetual checkAn endless series of checks that forces a draw by repetition.