6 Ways to Draw a Chess Game
A chess game can end in a draw, wherein the players split the point, through several distinct mechanisms, each governed by specific rules. Below are the possible ways a game between two players can conclude without a winner.
INSUFFICIENT MATERIAL
A draw occurs when neither player has enough pieces to deliver checkmate. Common scenarios include–
king vs. king,
king and bishop vs. king,
king and knight vs. king,
or king and bishop vs. king and bishop (with bishops on same-color squares)
MUTUAL AGREEMENT
Both players can agree to a draw at any point during the game, often when they believe neither side can realistically win or wish to avoid further play.
THREEFOLD REPETITION
If the same position occurs three times with the same player to move and the same possible moves, the player to move can claim a draw. The repetitions need not be consecutive.
STALEMATE
Often unfortunate for the side with more material, stalemate is a type of draw that takes place when a player, whose turn it is to move, has no legal moves available and their king is not in check. The game is a stalemate, resulting in a draw.
FIFTY-MOVE RULE
If 50 consecutive moves (by each player) pass without a pawn move or a capture, either player can claim a draw, reflecting a lack of progress toward checkmate. It is often claimed during theoretically drawn endgames, such as king, rook and bishop vs king and rook. Master level players are often versed with the methods of defending such positions with accuracy, and eventually are able to draw either by agreement or the fifty-move rule.
THE BERLIN DRAW (DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME)
The Berlin draw is a famous variation of moves which the top players play, and mutually agree to repeat the position after 14 moves. It is however only advised to play it under the supervision of a Grandmaster. To digress from the sarcasm, the berlin is considered as one of the most solid weapons against the Ruy Lopez, and challenging it is almost never prolific. In a tournament situation, it is generally played out when two top players are happy the draw the game without burning themselves out. Here’s the sequence of moves:
