Chessworld.net founded in 2000 is an online chess site.If you would like to play relaxed, friendly online chess, then...
or
Draws in Chess: Stalemate, 3-Fold Repetition & The 50-Move Rule
In competitive chess, a draw is a perfectly valid result. In fact, at the Grandmaster level, over 50% of games end in draws. Below are the five main ways a game can end without a winner, illustrated by famous historical examples.
1. Stalemate
Rule: The player to move has no legal moves but is NOT in check. The game ends immediately as a Draw.
The World Championship Stalemate
Korchnoi vs. Karpov (1978), Game 5
Position after 124.Bg7
Black (Karpov) to move. The Black King on h7 is NOT in check.
• h8 is covered by the Bishop.
• g8 is covered by the White King.
• The pawn on a4 is blocked.
Result: Stalemate (Draw)
Black (Karpov) to move. The Black King on h7 is NOT in check.
• h8 is covered by the Bishop.
• g8 is covered by the White King.
• The pawn on a4 is blocked.
Result: Stalemate (Draw)
The "Desperado" Swindle
Theoretical Pattern (Queen Sacrifice)
Black to move
Black losing but plays qxh2+ forcing a stalemate.
Black losing but plays qxh2+ forcing a stalemate.
2. Threefold Repetition
If the exact same position occurs three times (with the same player to move and same rights), a player can claim a draw.
Candidates Final (Third Time's a Charm)
Fischer vs. Petrosian (1971) - Game 3
Position after 34. Qe2
Fischer (Black) claimed the draw by repetition. The white Queen kept shuffling between e2 and h5.
The position first appeared after 30.Qe2, then 32.Qe2, and finally 34.Qe2. Fischer correctly stopped the clock to claim.
Fischer (Black) claimed the draw by repetition. The white Queen kept shuffling between e2 and h5.
The position first appeared after 30.Qe2, then 32.Qe2, and finally 34.Qe2. Fischer correctly stopped the clock to claim.
Position after 34. Qe2
Fischer (Black) claimed the draw because the White Queen repeated the position three times:
30. Qe2 Qe5 31. Qh5 Qf6
32. Qe2 Re5 33. Qd3 Rd5
34. Qe2 (Claim)
Fischer (Black) claimed the draw because the White Queen repeated the position three times:
30. Qe2 Qe5 31. Qh5 Qf6
32. Qe2 Re5 33. Qd3 Rd5
34. Qe2 (Claim)
3. The 50-Move Rule
If 50 consecutive moves pass without a pawn move or a capture, a draw can be claimed. This usually happens in difficult endgames.
Rook + Bishop vs. Rook
Timman vs. Lutz (1995)
Position after 121...Rb5+
White is trying to win with the extra Bishop, but Black (Lutz) defended successfully for 50 moves. The game was declared a draw right here.
White is trying to win with the extra Bishop, but Black (Lutz) defended successfully for 50 moves. The game was declared a draw right here.
4. Insufficient Material
The game is drawn if there is physically no way to checkmate the opponent legally.
Dead Position
Vidmar vs. Maróczy (1932)- King + Bishop vs King: Cannot force mate.
- King + Knight vs King: Cannot force mate.
- King vs King: Impossible to mate.
5. Mutual Agreement
Players can agree to a draw at any time. This often happens in positions where neither side sees a path to victory.
Draw Agreed
Petrosian vs. Fischer (1958)
Position after 67. f7
Example variation: 1. = (0.00): 67...Rb8 68.g7 Kb2 69.g8Q Rxg8+ 70.fxg8Q c2= The position is equal
Etiquette Note: In this very game, Fischer was criticized for offering the draw during Petrosian's turn! The correct etiquette is to make your move, offer the draw, and then press your clock.
Example variation: 1. = (0.00): 67...Rb8 68.g7 Kb2 69.g8Q Rxg8+ 70.fxg8Q c2= The position is equal
Etiquette Note: In this very game, Fischer was criticized for offering the draw during Petrosian's turn! The correct etiquette is to make your move, offer the draw, and then press your clock.