Chapter 03 · Beginner · 3 min
Stalemate
Stalemate feels strange at first: not in check, but no legal move. Result: draw, even if one side had a huge advantage.
Explanation
Pat is one of the most surprising rules at first.
Stalemate occurs when a player is not in check, but has no legal move. As his king is not attacked, it is not checkmate. As he cannot play anything, the game ends. Result: zero.
This is a very important rule when you win big. If the opponent has almost no more pieces, be careful not to take away all his moves without attacking his king. Otherwise, you turn a victory into a draw. It is generous, but rarely voluntary.
To remember
Pat = not in check, but no legal move. Result: zero.
Classic error
Push the opponent into a corner without giving him a move, even though he is not in check.
Player Tip
When you win big, always check that the opposing king has at least one legal move if you don't mate.