Chess Check, Checkmate, Stalemate & Draw Rules Explained
Chess ends by checkmate, resignation or one of several draw rules.
Check
A king is in check when attacked by one or more opposing pieces. The player must respond with a legal move that removes the check.
Checkmate
Checkmate occurs when the king is in check and there is no legal move that can remove the attack. The checkmated player loses.
Stalemate
Stalemate is a draw: the player to move is not in check but has no legal move.
Dead position
The game is drawn when no sequence of legal moves can lead to checkmate.
Repetition
Under FIDE rules, a player can claim a draw after the same position is about to appear for the third time under the required conditions; fivefold repetition produces an automatic draw.
50- and 75-move rules
A player may claim a draw after 50 moves by each player without a pawn move or capture. At 75 such moves by each player, the game is drawn automatically unless the final move delivered checkmate.
Related guides
How to play chess · Special moves · Chess hub