When Is a Chess Game a Draw?

Chess sets come in many different materials. The set shown here is wooden.

In chess, a game is called a draw when it becomes clear that no player can beat the other. In competitive chess, there are six ways to incur a draw.

Draw by Agreement

A draw by agreement occurs when both players agree to end the game without announcing a winner.

Insufficient Material

Any time there is a pawn on the board, there can be no draw by insufficient material, as the pawn could be traded in for another piece.

A draw due to insufficient material occurs when neither side has the correct pieces to checkmate the other. This happens when any of the following sets are the only pieces left in play:

1) a king on one side and a king on the other side

2) a king on one side and a king and a bishop on the other side

3) a king on one side and a king and a knight on the other side

Stalemate

According to the Borders Chess Club, a draw by stalemate occurs "if a player has no legal moves on his turn, but is not in check."

End of Time

Chess clocks are used to ensure that rounds in a chess competition end in a timely manner.

In competitive chess, games are timed. If both players run out of time on their chess clocks, the game is a draw.

Threefold Repetition of Postion

When a player moves a piece into the same position three times in a row, the game ends in a draw by threefold repetition of position.

The Fifty Move Rule

Players have an option to call a game a draw if one or both players are able to make 50 moves without capturing a piece or moving a pawn.

References

• Borders Chess Club: Six Ways to Draw (Tie) a Chess Game
• Chess Strategies Blog: How to Draw a Chess Game

Resources

• The United States Chess Federation