How could this be a draw ?

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Avatar of danyboy44

I was playing black on Live Chess and lost on time, but I was amazed to see that it counted as a draw for insufficient material. Can somebody explain to me how a Queen, a Pawn and a Knight are insufficient for a checkmate ?

I don't know if it matters, but the Queen is a promoted Pawn...

Avatar of duskrevival

you lost on time, firstable. Not white, so white has insufficient material to mate you therefore it is a draw.

It's not a stalemate because I believe it is black to move, that's how he lost on time.

Avatar of ANason21

If it is black to move, and black loses on time, the game is drawn due to insufficient material because white cannot checkmate black.

If it is white to move, the game is drawn by stalemate.

Avatar of danyboy44

It was indeed black to move. Thanks for the answers !

Avatar of Rilly

Is that how it works in OTB tournaments as well? Or only here on chess.com? (That if black loses on time but white doesn't have sufficient material to win, it is a draw)

Avatar of duskrevival

@Rilly 

Yes that is the official USCF rule and the FIDE rule, though FIDE and USCF are a bit different regarding the topic. I believe two knights and a king are considered "insufficient" according to USCF rules.