In the game with Angie0312, you had a (borderline) cute mate in 3 at the end:  59 Rc7 Kb8 60 b6 Ka8 61 Ra7 mate.

In my game, I did not have to claim stalemate, as some hve suggestted I should. The computer just informed me it was.

Queenie,

One does not claim stalemate it merely is.If neither side were to claim "stalemate" the problem would still persist  i.e. that is the side to play has no legal move.

 

Ray_Brooks wrote:

Queenie,

One does not claim stalemate it merely is.If neither side were to claim "stalemate" the problem would still persist  i.e. that is the side to play has no legal move.

 

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Ray, Sorry if I did not expalin myself properly, I know what stalemate is because both yourself and Lomis explained it very clearly to me, (now I watch out for it all the time so thanks for that). I was just explaining to some others who have answered this post stating that stalemate has to be claimed. But yes ,thanks to you and Lomis I do know now..

It is not so much that the king cannot make a legal move--nothing can make a legal move!  When in doubt and safe to do so, leave an opponent's pawn with several moves left prior to promotion.  If you flub, he will still have a legal move and you will have another chance.

 

On the other hand, if you are behind, actively look for ways of decreasing your legal moves--run pawns up against opposing pawns, "stalemate" your king.  Keep a powerful piece you can make something like a forced move as you throw it away as you seal the deal.  a spite check is ideal, because it must be answered. 

 

I have a friend who is an artist of the form.

 

If you are winning, always look out for an opponent's stalemate opportunities.

A good little trick to prevent stalemate is to leave one of your pawns on their first rank , so if zugzwang were to happen you can move that pawn instead of worsening your position

damn the stalemate!

 

silentfilmstar13 wrote: chesscombat wrote: queenie wrote:

I was about to checkmate my opponant, when up came drawn by stalemate. How???? This isn't the first time this has happened to me. Can anyone explain please.

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 a stalemate is when your opponents king has nowhere to go and he or she has nothing to move and there is no check,

 chesscombat

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 Thanks for that timely response.

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Whatever-just get back on the subject and look to see if there's a stalemate trick somewhere before making a move or else...well, you know...

i had a game i play it ended in stale mate but it didn't show up i think i was cheated out of a draw.....

all i had was the king in a corner no place to move.......