Newbie requires answer to probably obvious question

Hi,

Can somebody please explain to me why I have drawn my game against the computer. I am new to the game so please refrain from sarcasm as I am sure the answer is obvious to regulars. I will try to add the game so you can see.

Thank you

Mark

that's stalemate, the computer has no legal move so it's a draw.

Hey Mark,

You gave the computer a good pasting all right, but you fell into a stalemate trap.  This is where your opponent is not in check, but has no legal moves.  The rules of chess call this a stalemate, which is a draw.  Whenever you are up a great deal of material in the endgame, you have to always be on the alert for such a possibility.  Conversely, whenever *you* are getting pasted in the endgame, look to trap your opponent into this situation, and watch their frustration as you call the game a draw.

This just shows that eliminating your opponents pieces doesn't necessarily mean victory. If you had played 33. Rh8 instead of 33. Qxe4 you would've won.

Thats great thanks. If I am not mistaken, basically I don't have him in check but he cannot move. I get it now. Thanks for the support guys, I really appreciate it.

Regards

Mark

You are not mistaken, you have it. Next time, just go for the kill! :-)