{"id":1180,"date":"2023-03-26T06:32:56","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T06:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chessarea.com\/?p=1180"},"modified":"2023-03-26T06:32:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-26T06:32:57","slug":"what-are-draws-in-chess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chessarea.com\/what-are-draws-in-chess\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Draws In Chess?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although most games in chess end with a definitive winner. Draws in Chess are not as rare as you might think. In fact, they\u2019re an important part of chess and can be the difference between winning and losing a tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are many reasons why a draw can occur in chess. If you want to become a successful chess player, you need to understand why draws are important. How they occur, and how they can be of benefit to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will look at what draws are. We\u2019ll explain the different types of draws as well so that you will be able to identify them when they occur and decide if you want to play for a draw or even ask for one yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is A Draw?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll begin by explaining what a draw is. Like most other sports and games, a draw occurs when there is no winner or loser in the game and the game is tied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is possible for either of the two players involved in the chess game to ask for a draw. If the draw occurs, then they both score half a point each in a tournament or league setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draws are rare among beginner and intermediate players and are a more common occurrence with high-ranking players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This doesn\u2019t mean that beginners and intermediate players will never be involved in draws, however. So it is worth learning about them early on in your chess journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Five Types of Draws<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The International Chess Federation (FIDE)<\/a> states that there are five different scenarios that can lead to a draw in a game of chess. We will look through each of these five in turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When these scenarios arise, it is usually down to one of the players involved in the game to request a draw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is possible for the referee, or arbiter, to call for the draw instead in some scenarios. The arbiter has the power to end a game and call it a draw if this is the right course of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stalemate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The term stalemate refers to the scenario where a player is left with no legal moves that they can make. This includes scenarios where the only move possible would put the player\u2019s King in check. As this is not a legal move for a player to make with their own King.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stalemate is something that can naturally occur through the course of a game, especially when the board becomes emptier and there are fewer materials available to be moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, stalemate can also be a manufactured scenario. It\u2019s not unusual for some advanced and grandmaster chess players<\/a> to purposely put themselves into a stalemate position if they feel they can\u2019t win the match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, drawing the game and getting half a point is a better result than losing and receiving no points at all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dead Position<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The goal of any chess match is to checkmate your opponent\u2019s King. However, what happens if the game plays out and neither player can legally checkmate their opponent\u2019s King?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is called a dead position tie. As each chess piece is limited in the way it can move and in the spaces it can occupy. It is entirely possible for the Kings to be placed in positions that no player can threaten. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dead position checkmates usually occur when there aren\u2019t many materials left on the board and the number of legal moves is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are specific combinations of pieces that can lead to dead position draws. These are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n