--- title: "Stalemate trick in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stalemate-trick.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stalemate-trick" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "A stalemate trick is a resource for the side that is losing. That makes it a lifeline for the side that is behind." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stalemate.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/perpetual-check.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fortress.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Stalemate trick in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. A stalemate trick is a resource for the side that is losing. That makes it a lifeline for the side that is behind. A stalemate trick is a resource for the side that is losing: it forces the stronger side into a position where the weaker side has no legal move and is not in check, so the game is drawn. [Stalemate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stalemate.md) means the player to move is not in check but has no legal move, and the game is a draw at once. That makes it a lifeline for the side that is behind. If you are down a queen or a rook, look for a way to leave your king with no safe [squares](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/square.md) and your other pieces unable to move, so that the opponent's next [capture](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/capture.md) ends the game as a draw. The usual method is a [sacrifice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/sacrifice.md) that has to be taken. A rook gives check, the only legal reply is to capture it, and after the capture you have nothing left to move. Other versions use a king boxed into a corner, blocked pawns, or a pinned piece that has no legal move. To use it, count the legal moves your side would have after each possible reply. If that number can reach zero, you have a stalemate chance. To avoid falling for one, check how many moves your opponent has left before every capture or [quiet move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/quiet-move.md), and make sure at least one legal move remains unless your move is [checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md). A different capture, or a move that gives the king a free square, is often enough. In the diagram White has only a rook against a queen. White to move plays Rb1+. Black's only legal reply is Kxb1, and then the white king on a3 has no legal move: a2, a4, b2, b3 and b4 are all covered by the black king and queen. It is stalemate, so the game is drawn. Also called: stalemate swindle. ## Example position White to move plays Rb1+. Black has to capture with Kxb1, and then White's king on a3 has no legal move and is not in check, so the game is drawn by stalemate even though Black has a queen against a rook. Position (FEN): `8/8/8/8/2q5/K7/1R6/k7 w - - 0 1` Compare it with [Underpromotion](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/underpromotion.md). Underpromotion is promoting a pawn to a rook, bishop or knight instead of a queen, chosen because the lesser piece wins or draws more in the position at hand. To see how often "Stalemate trick" or a pattern like it decides your own games, book a [first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): George Li reviews your games and writes a study plan around what he finds. ## Related terms - [Stalemate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stalemate.md) - [Perpetual check](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/perpetual-check.md) - [Fortress](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fortress.md) - [Checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Stalemate in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stalemate.md) - [Perpetual check in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/perpetual-check.md) - [Fortress in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fortress.md) - [Checkmate in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md) - [Chess terms: Tactics and combinations](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)