LaviChess

Lesson 11: Stalemate and draws

Not every game ends in mate. Here you learn when it's a draw, a tie, and how to avoid the most common trap for the player who is ahead: stalemate.

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Stalemate is when the player to move has no legal move but isn't in check. Then it's a draw, a tie, however much the other side has left.

Black is to move. What has happened?

What you'll learn

  • Stalemate: no legal move, but no check
  • Stalemate is a draw, however far ahead you are
  • How to avoid stalemate
  • A draw when nobody can give mate
  • A draw by agreement, by repetition and by the 50-move rule

Lesson 11 of 12 · about 5 minutes · 4 steps. Your progress is kept in this browser, and with your profile if you have one.

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Updated November 6, 2026