Chess rules

Check, checkmate and stalemate

Check means your king is attacked. Checkmate means it cannot escape, and the game ends. Stalemate means you have no legal move but are not in check, and the game is a draw. Practice all three.

Check, checkmate and stalemate explained

When a king is in check, the player must get out of it at once. There are three ways: move the king to a safe square, block the attack with another piece, or capture the piece that gives check. A double check can only be answered by moving the king.

If none of these is possible, it is checkmate. If a player has no legal move at all but is not in check, it is stalemate, and the game is a draw, not a win for the player who caused it.

What is the difference between check and checkmate?

Check can be answered. Checkmate cannot, so the game is over.

Who wins a stalemate?

No one. It is a draw. Players with a winning position must be careful not to stalemate their opponent.

Can a king give check?

No. Kings can never stand next to each other, so a king cannot attack the other king.

Try it in a real game

Cats vs Dogs Chess: 3d chess with cats and dogs

Cats vs Dogs Chess is a 3D chess game with five computer levels and a pass-the-phone mode. Free in your browser.

Play Cats vs Dogs Chess

Practice puzzles

Mate in 1 puzzlesPlay on a real board Back rank mate puzzlesPlay on a real board Smothered mate puzzlesPlay on a real board

Keep learning

CastlingChess rules En passantChess rules How the pieces moveInteractive Chess puzzlesFree trainer

Questions

How do you get out of check?

Move the king, block the attack, or capture the checking piece.

What is stalemate in chess?

A position where the player to move has no legal move and the king is not in check. The game is a draw.

Can you checkmate with a knight?

Yes, with help from other pieces. A knight can give checkmate if the king has no escape squares, for example in a smothered mate.