Stalemate

Stalemate occurs when the player whose turn it is has no legal move and that player's king is not in check. The game ends immediately as a draw. Both conditions are required.

Genuine stalemateSame immobility with check

The king is not in check and nothing can move

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g8, g7, and h7 are controlled, but the king on h8 is not in check.

Zero legal moves

Black is to move. The king on h8 is not attacked, but g8, g7, and h7 are controlled. The pawn on a2 cannot advance because a1 is occupied, and it has no capture on b1.

1. g8, g7, and h7 are controlled, but the king on h8 is not in check.
2. The pawn on a2 cannot advance because the rook occupies a1.

The side to move matters. The same arrangement of pieces may be stalemate with one player to move and a playable position with the other. Every piece and pawn must be checked for possible moves, not only the king.

Same placement, other side to move

The placement is not enough without the turn

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With White to move, the rook on a1 can capture the pawn on a2.

White is now to move

Every piece occupies exactly the same square as in the genuine stalemate, but White has the move. The position remains playable, and the rook can capture the pawn with Rxa2 among other legal choices.

1. With White to move, the rook on a1 can capture the pawn on a2.

Stalemate often appears when a player with a large advantage restricts the opposing king too tightly while also removing the opponent's last pawn move. Before making a non-checking move in a late stage that seems won, it is useful to confirm that the opponent will retain at least one legal reply.