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How Games End, Overview

A game ends in a win for one side or a draw. A win comes from checkmate or from the other side giving up.

Checkmate ends the game

Black king is on g8. White queen is on g7 and White king is on f6. Black has no legal move and is in check, so the game is over.

FEN: 6k1/6Q1/5K2/8/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . . . k . 8
7 . . . . . . Q . 7
6 . . . . . K . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Stalemate is a draw

Black king is on h8. White queen is on f7 and White king is on g6. Black has no legal move and is not in check, so the game is a draw.

FEN: 7k/5Q2/6K1/8/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . . . . k 8
7 . . . . . Q . . 7
6 . . . . . . K . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Only kings left

Only the two kings remain. Neither side can give checkmate with a lone king, so the game is a draw.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • Checkmate ends the game at once. The side that gives checkmate wins.
  • A side can resign at any time. Resignation gives the win to the other side.
  • A draw means neither side wins. A draw can come from stalemate or from too few pieces left to give checkmate.
  • A draw can also come from agreement between the two players.
  • Later lessons in this course explain each ending in full.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

What result follows when a side has no legal move and is not in check?