Editing Rules of chess (section)

===== Dead position =====
{{Chess diagram
| tright
| Example of a dead position{{sfn|FIDE Arbiters' Commission|2022|loc=page 8 (article 1.5)}}
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |bd|  |kd|  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |pd
|pd|  |pd|  |pd|  |pd|pl
|pl|pd|pl|  |pl|  |pl|
|  |pl|  |bl|kl|  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| White has just played h5; neither side can open up the position.
}}
A ''dead position'' is defined as a position where neither player can checkmate their opponent's king by any sequence of legal moves.{{sfn|FIDE|2023|loc=article 5.2.2}} According to the rules of chess the game is immediately terminated the moment a dead position appears on the board. 

Some basic endings are always dead positions; for example:
* king against king;
* king against king and bishop;
* king against king and knight.

Blocked positions can arise in which progress is impossible for either side, such as the diagrammed position;{{sfn|FIDE Arbiters' Commission|2022|loc=page 8 (article 1.5)}} these too are dead positions.

[[United States Chess Federation|USCF]] rules, for games played under a time control that does not include delay or increment, allow draw claims for "insufficient losing chances".{{sfn|Just|2019|loc=chapter 1, section 14H}} For example, if each player has only a king and a knight, checkmate is only achievable with the co-operation of both players, even if it is not a dead position.