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🏆 How Chess Games Are Won – 3 Common Ways

The goal of chess is simple: to win! While most people know about checkmate, there are actually three common ways a game ends with a clear winner.

1) Checkmate

This is the ultimate goal of the game. Checkmate happens when a King is under attack (in "Check") and has no legal way to escape.

✅ The game ends immediately.
✅ The player who delivers the mate is the winner.

Read the full guide on Checkmate »

2) Resignation

A player may choose to Resign if they feel their position is completely hopeless. This is a respectful way to admit defeat and move on to the next game.

✅ In person, you can say "I resign" or gently tip over your King.
✅ In online play, there is a dedicated "Resign" button.
✅ Tip: Beginners are often encouraged to keep playing, as their opponent might still make a big mistake!

3) Winning on Time

In most competitive and online chess, players have a set amount of time to complete their moves.

✅ If your opponent's clock reaches zero, they "fall on time" and you win the game.
✅ Exception: If you do not have enough pieces left to physically deliver a checkmate (like just a lone King), the game is a draw even if your opponent runs out of time.