Rules & Special Moves  ·  Lesson 33 of 92

Checkmate vs Stalemate

Your opponent has NO legal moves but is NOT in check. What happens?

Choose the right answer

  1. You win — checkmate
  2. It's a draw — stalemate
  3. They skip their turn
  4. They must resign
Show the answer

It's a draw — stalemate

Stalemate is a DRAW. Countless winning positions have been thrown away by careless stalemates — always give the enemy king breathing room until mate.

The complete guide

This drill is one step. The full write-up — every rule, every pattern, every common mistake — is in the complete guide.

Practise this on a live board

This lesson is one of 92 in the Grandmaster Academy — every one playable, with the pieces moving under your hand.

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More Rules & Special Moves lessons

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