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Perpetual Check: Saving a Lost Game

Perpetual check is a series of checks that never ends. The player giving check can force a draw in a lost game.

A queen gives perpetual check

The queen gives check from h7. The king moves to f8. The queen gives check from h8. The king moves to f7. The queen gives check from h7 again. The checks can repeat forever.

FEN: 6k1/8/8/7Q/8/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1

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

A rook gives perpetual check

The rook gives check from h8. The king moves to g7. The rook gives check from h7. The king moves to g8. The rook gives check from h8 again. The checks can repeat forever.

FEN: 6k1/8/8/8/8/8/8/6KR 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 R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • Perpetual check repeats checks forever.
  • The opponent cannot escape the checks.
  • Perpetual check usually leads to a draw by repetition.
  • Perpetual check saves a game that is otherwise lost.
  • A queen is the usual perpetual checking piece.
  • A rook can also give perpetual check along a file.
  • Look for perpetual check when you are losing and the enemy king is exposed.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. Which move starts a perpetual check?