Do you think only a checkmate can conclude the game? Well, there are many beginners who think so. However, there are eight possible ways that can end a game of chess. It may seem odd at first, but is quite common in elite games where the players choose an alternative to end a game. Technically, there are two broader terms that are generally used to decide a game’s fate. They are Win/Lose or Draw. But you need to know that there are certain exceptions that follow even in these cases. Let’s find out the eight ways that can end a game of chess.
Checkmate- This is a commonly used term that you might have come across. You can checkmate your opponent and the game is over when the other king cannot move to any other square, it cannot be protected by any other piece and you cannot capture the checking piece. So you clearly win the game. However, if you and your king are caught up in such a scenario then, your opponent wins the game.
Resignation- This is another possible ending for the game. This happens if one of the players i.e. you or your opponent is expecting a checkmate from the other. So, the player decides to resign the game rather than continuing and facing a checkmate. Thus, automatically the other player wins the game.
Timeout- Timeout is the most tragic way of losing a game. This occurs when either you or your opponent does not make a move until the player runs out of time. This is very common in rapid chess, but rare in daily games. If you are timed out, your opponent obviously wins the game if he has enough material on his/her board for a checkmate. In the absence of material other than a kind, the game is considered a draw.
Stalemate- It is a position that results in a draw. In this situation, the player who is supposed to move on the board is not in check and also does not have any legal moves left. This situation calls for a draw.
Insufficient Material- This occurs in the endgame when one player has more pieces on the board than his/her opponent, but those pieces are not enough to win, as the combination of some pieces cannot force a checkmate. This is a draw. There are various instances that could lead to a draw in case of insufficient material. These are:
King vs King- When both the players just have their king, left on the board. The game ends up in a draw.
King + minor piece vs king- If a player has a king and a minor piece like a bishop or a knight against another king, the game stands a draw. As neither the minor piece, nor the king could win the game all alone.
King vs all the pieces- The player having the lone king has insufficient material to resume playing against all the pieces of the opponent. Thus it also ends up as a draw.
King+ two knights vs king- Though checkmate is possible it is mainly forced. So, the game is declared a draw.
King + minor piece vs King + minor piece- In this, checkmate is possible only if the two minor pieces aren’t bishops of the same colour. However, this forced and thus considered a draw.
The 50 move rule- This allows either of the player to ask for a draw if there is no capture that has been made or any of the paws haven’t moved since the past 50 moves.
Repetition- This rule is significant when a single position has arisen three times in a game. This is done to cut down the repetitive nature of the moves played by the players again and again.
Agreement- When both the players shake hands to end the game in a draw. This is majorly done in situations when both the players agree that none of them are in an advantageous position.
These are the eight possibilities that can end a game of chess. To know more such interesting information about the game of chess. Log in to https://www.mindmentorz.com/ and enrol your kid and let him explore the world of Chess, Robotics, Rubik’s Cube and Coding.