Chessschool

Lesson 8 of 13

Check and checkmate

The goal of chess: checkmate the opponent's king.

Check

A king is in check when an enemy can capture him. You must fix that right away: step away, block, or capture the attacker.

Checkmate

If you can't get out of check, it is checkmate and the game is won. A classic is the back-rank mate.

Stalemate is not a win

If a king is not in check but the player can't make any move, it is stalemate: a draw. Be careful when you are far ahead.

Try the rule yourself

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