= stalemate, n.

Chess. ? The protection afforded by a specified piece or pawn. Obsolete. rare.

A position in which the player whose turn it is to move has no allowable move open to him, but has not his king in check.

A position in which a player is obliged to move but cannot do so without disadvantage; the disagreeable obligation to make such a move. Frequently i…

Chess. Obstruction of the line of action of one piece by another. Also attributive.