Chess Endgame Guide
Stalemate by Perpetual Pursuit
[Introduction]

Chess Endgame Guide - Teaser - Perpetual Pursuit The Perpetual Pursuit situation is destined to end in Stalemate, by Three-time Repetition of positions.

It's virtually similar to the outcome of the Perpetual Check, only the "Pursuit" version is a merry-go-round of attacks against any one of the other chess pieces, except the King.

When the attacks and escapes result in the same position being played, three times, in quick succession - that is, when no other moves take place and, if no captures happen - the game will suddenly end in a Draw (Stalemate), as these examples show:

Perpetual Pursuit Index

Stalemate by Perpetual Pursuit:

Perpetual Pursuit, Example 1 (page 2)

Black's Bishop works to salvage a Draw to prevent White's h-Pawn from gaining promotion.

The red squares highlight the White King's repetitive moves; the green squares highlight the Black Bishop's repetitive moves.

Perpetual Pursuit, Example 2 (page 3)

This example is virtually identical to Example 1 (above). It's a mirrored-situation of an actual study, into the 'art' of the Perpetual Pursuit, by Shakhmaty Birnov in 1928.

The red squares highlight the White King's repetitive moves; the green squares highlight the Black Bishop's repetitive moves.

Perpetual Pursuit, Example 3 (page 4)

This example shows White's Queen and a Black Rook making the same, repetitive moves, three times in a row, resulting in Stalemate.

The red squares highlight the White Queen's repetitive moves; the green squares highlight the Black Rook's repetitive moves.