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Stalemate

Stalemate means a side has no legal move and is not in check. Stalemate is a draw at once.

A stalemate position

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.

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

A move that stalemates

White queen is on g6 and White king is on f6. White plays Qf7, and Black king on h8 then has no legal move and no check.

FEN: 7k/8/5KQ1/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

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

Stalemate is not checkmate

The same pieces with the queen on g7 give checkmate, because Black is in check. With the queen on f7 Black is not in check, so the result 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

Key points

  • Stalemate needs no legal move. Every piece of the stalemated side is unable to move legally.
  • Stalemate needs no check. A side in check with no legal move is checkmated, not stalemated.
  • Stalemate can save a losing game. A side that is far behind in material can still draw by stalemate.
  • Stalemate can spoil a winning game. A side far ahead must keep a legal move open for the enemy king.
  • Always check for stalemate before a move that takes the last legal move away.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

Black has no legal move and is not in check. What is the result?