5 Most Amazing Stalemate Tricks Of All Time
Have you ever blundered into a stalemate when you were winning a game? It happens to everyone. IM Eric Rosen has famously saved lost positions against several strong opponents with the same sneaky stalemate trap.
Often stalemates stem from a huge blunder, but on occasion they're the result of a brilliant idea by the defending side to save the game. Check out my nominations for the five most brilliant stalemate tricks in the history of chess.
- A Top Level Swindle: Beliavsky - Christiansen
- Inhuman Complications: Shredder - Gull
- A Shocking Defense: Bojkov - Borisek
- The Most Complicated Stalemate Ever Played? Boyd-Glimbrant
- Dodging Stalemate: L'Ami - Van Wely
A Top Level Swindle: Beliavsky - Christiansen
Grandmasters Alexander Beliavsky and Larry Christiansen were both among the top-25 players in the 1980s and 1990s, with Beliavsky reaching as high as fourth in the world. Typically, when you're in trouble against an elite grandmaster, it means that you're going to lose the game. Christiansen, however, is not someone who gives up easily. He once won a tournament game after dropping a queen for a knight in the opening. In his wild battle with Beliavsky, both sides sacrificed their queens to set up tactics. Beliavsky worked his way through the complications, but stumbled one step before the finish line and allowed Christiansen to sacrifice his queen and both rooks for a pretty stalemate!
Inhuman Complications: Shredder - Gull
As impressive as top humans are, modern engines play the game at a level that we can only dream of. In 2013, the engines Shredder and Gull combined to make possibly the most insane stalemate combination ever played. Black appeared to be dominating the game and White's king was coming under fire until Shredder played 46.Bb3!!, giving up a bishop to force Black to control all of the squares around the white king. Once the bishop is gone, the remaining sacrifices come in a wave to force a stalemate or perpetual check by a crazy rook.
A Shocking Defense: Bojkov - Borisek
GM Dejan Bojkov has published many lessons, but he's a strong player in his own right. In this game he was under pressure against another GM, Jure Borisek. Bojkov offered his opponent a seemingly brilliant queen sacrifice for checkmate, but with a hidden stalemate trap at the end. It's hard to blame Borisek for missing one of the deepest traps you will ever see.
The Most Complicated Stalemate Ever Played? Boyd-Glimbrant
You don't need to be a grandmaster to contribute to chess history. FM Stephen Boyd and Torbjorn Glimbrant are both strong players, but never came close to the top title. In 1992, they combined to play an astounding game. Boyd held an advantage with the white pieces, but after one small mistake Glimbrant found 14 perfect moves, creating a stalemate more impressive than any that a grandmaster has ever found.
Dodging Stalemate: L'Ami - Van Wely
Not every stalemate trick works out. One of the longest stalemate combinations ever played had a fatal flaw and GM Erwin l'Ami found a way to dance his king to the queenside, back to the kingside, and up the board before escaping a series of desperado checks and finally winning the game. Enjoy!
Have you ever fallen for a stalemate trick? Have you played one of your own? Let us know in the comments.
