KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A check is an attack to the King
• You win the game when you checkmate (1 point). You draw when you stalemate (½ point).
• 3 conditions for Checkmate
  • King is in check
  • King can’t move
  • No piece can take the checking piece or block the check
• 2 conditions for Stalemate:
  • Enemy King has 0 legal moves
  • No opponent’s pieces can move
  • (Technically only 1 condition: opponent has no legal moves)

Checks, checkmating, and stalemating are very important terms in chess. Knowing what they mean can literally be the difference between winning and losing! This article will clarify the most common questions about checks, checkmating, and stalemating.

What’s a Check?

The first step to checkmating is understanding what a check is. Simply, a check is when a piece attacks a King. This means every piece can deliver a check except the King (because King’s cannot attack each other).

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Here are a couple examples of checks.

In the opening, many beginners just check for the sake of checking with no plan in mind. Avoid this! In the opening, you should focus on developing your pieces ASAP before you start an attack.

Tip: Don’t give meaningless checks! Focus on developing your pieces before launching an attack

How to Get Out of Check

You’re in check – what can you do about it? There are 3 ways to get out of a check.

1. Move your King
2. Take the checking piece
3. Block the check

Now… What’s Checkmate?

Great! Now we know everything needed to learn what a checkmate is. A checkmate is when the King is in check and it can’t get out of check. When this happens, you win the game, get 1 point in tournaments, and can triumphantly celebrate at home :)! 

Fun Fact: You need at least 2 pieces to checkmate.

The best way to get better at checkmating is by learning common checkmating patterns because chess is based on primarily pattern recognition. Check out common mating patterns.

The next article talks about basic checkmates.

What’s Stalemate?

In contrast to a checkmate, a stalemate occurs when the opponent has no legal moves and it’s their turn (i.e. it’s their turn but they can move no pieces and don’t have a legal move for the King). 

If you are winning, avoid stalemates like the plague!!! However, if you are losing, never resign because your opponent might stalemate you!

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to end a chess game, plus how to get out of check. Go practice your skills in a real game.

Cover Photo Credit

Image by moritz320 from Pixabay