Stalemate is lesson 4 of 4 in Check, checkmate and stalemate, a basics course suited to players rated around 300 (complete beginners). Stalemate is a draw: the player to move is NOT in check but has no legal move. It has 2 interactive exercises: 2 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
Black to move. The king is not in check, but every square around it is attacked, and Black has no other pieces. That is stalemate: the game is a draw, even though White has a queen!
What you practise
Careful! Some queen moves give stalemate. Find the checkmate instead.
Checkmate in one, without stalemating.
Worked examples
Checkmate in one, without stalemating. Checkmate! Always check that the enemy king has a move before you play a quiet move.
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