Stalemate and ‘DTS’ depth to stalemate endgame tables

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Müller, Karsten | Haworth, Guy^{; *}

Affiliations: Hamburg, Germany and Reading, UK

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. E-mail: g.haworth@reading.ac.uk.

Abstract: Stalemating the opponent in chess has given rise to various opinions as to the nature of that result and the reward it should properly receive. Here, following Lasker and Reti, we propose that ‘stalemate’ is a secondary goal, superior to a draw by agreement or rule – but inferior to mate. We report the work of ‘Aloril’ who has created endgame tables holding both ‘DTM’ depth to mate and ‘DTS’ depth to stalemate data, and who should be regarded as the prime author of this paper. Further, we look at the classification of ‘Chess Stalemate Studies’ in the context of a ‘Lasker Chess’ which recognises the stalemate goal.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-190133

Journal: ICGA Journal, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 191-199, 2019