12 Feb 09
If you only have two squares to move your king, it is still possible for the game to take 50 half moves to draw.
It depends on how many different moves your opponent can make without repeating three times. If your opponent has a few different pieces to move with some alternating squares, such as a Bishop with three or four options, or a knight that can sit on two or three different squares, then you are headed for 50 half moves with no captures.
If your opponent can advance a pawn or two, then the game can go into the hundreds of moves. Plan on finishing in the year 2675 (with vacations).
12 Feb 09
1 edit
Originally posted by lordhighgusYou say 'stalemate' but you mean 'draw', don't you? A stalemate is always a draw and it's there immediately once the position is there.
Once you have a king left, squares to move in, how many moves till stalemate?
A draw can be many other things, like eternal check, threefold repetition of a position, even a possibility to agree to a draw, etc - and stalemate.
The rule you're referring to is the 50-moves rule. If no pawn is moved and no pieces are captured during 50 moves each (not 50 half-moves), then either part can claim a draw.
12 Feb 09
Originally posted by coquetteThank you very much.
If you only have two squares to move your king, it is still possible for the game to take 50 half moves to draw.
It depends on how many different moves your opponent can make without repeating three times. If your opponent has a few different pieces to move with some alternating squares, such as a Bishop with three or four options, or a knight that can ...[text shortened]... the game can go into the hundreds of moves. Plan on finishing in the year 2675 (with vacations).