Single Comment

Stalemate is not the only way a draw can be achieved in the game. The
triple repetition rule ends the game in a draw (1/2 - 1/2), but not a
stalemate. In other words, stalemate is only one type of draw possible.

The triple repetition is not achieved when one player moves a piece in the
same square three times, for then a losing player could force the game
into a draw rather easily. Triple repetition is achieved when the same
board position (meaning all of the same piece types of the same color are
on the same squares) is reached for the third time in a single game.
---
To checkmate, a player must have one or more of the following:

1) K & Q,
2) K & R,
3) K & B & B,
4) K & B & N,
5) K & P.

K & N & N can not force a mate. Also if in K & P vs. K, if the pawn is on
either of the rook files (a- or h- files) and the side with just the king
is able get the king on that file (in front of the pawn, impeding the
advance of the pawn), the game is drawn, by definition, as if continued,
the only possible outcome is stalemate.

There are also a few situations, in tournament play, when a draw can be
claimed by a player to a neutral arbitrator (i.e.: tournament steward),
when a player has 'insufficient losing chances'. Examples of such are,
but not limited to:

1) K & R vs. K & R,
2) K & Q vs. K & R,
3) K & B & B vs. K & B,

provided that a piece can not be immediately captured to set up one of the
five situations above.
---
If a player is put in a position where only the king can move, it is a
draw after 50 moves (50 for white and 50 for black, totalling 100) without
it being placed in checkmate. However, when counting the 50 moves, the
count must restart when a pawn is moved or a piece or pawn is captured.
So, if a player is unable to mate the king after 49 moves, the player may
choose to simply push a pawn, to get another 50 tries. See 'The 50 moves
rule' for more on this.