Can a player claim a stalemate if taking en-passant is the only move? • page 1/1 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

I came across this seemingly well-known puzzle: https://lichess.org/analysis/k7/Pp6/1Pp5/2Pp4/3Pp3/4P3/5P2/6K1_w_-_-_0_1
The lichess engine thinks both f3 and f4 are correct. But after f4, the only possible legal move for black would be exf3 en-passant.
As far as I know, en-passant is not mandatory, and players have their choice to play it or not to play it. Therefore, if white plays f4 in this puzzle, if white really plays f4, since there are no other legal moves apart from the en-passant capture which is not forced, can black claim a stalemate? (Taking en-passant is losing as in the puzzle solution, but stalemate is a draw.)
So in general, can a player claim a stalemate if the player has no moves but en-passant is still possible?

I came across this seemingly well-known puzzle: https://lichess.org/analysis/k7/Pp6/1Pp5/2Pp4/3Pp3/4P3/5P2/6K1_w_-_-_0_1 The lichess engine thinks both f3 and f4 are correct. But after f4, the only possible legal move for black would be exf3 en-passant. As far as I know, en-passant is not mandatory, and players have their choice to play it or not to play it. Therefore, if white plays f4 in this puzzle, if white really plays f4, since there are no other legal moves apart from the en-passant capture which is not forced, can black claim a stalemate? (Taking en-passant is losing as in the puzzle solution, but stalemate is a draw.) So in general, can a player claim a stalemate if the player has no moves but en-passant is still possible?

IM lovlas

#2

En passant is a move just like any other move. If you play f4 black has to take.

CM Sarg0n

#3

Eat this:

https://lichess.org/forum/lichess-feedback/remis-wird-nicht-anerkannt-trotz-patt#1

Eat this: https://lichess.org/forum/lichess-feedback/remis-wird-nicht-anerkannt-trotz-patt#1

pointlesswindows

edited

#4

@lutetium No. He must always make a move or a capture. Taking e.p. is a normal capture. And in this case it is forced.

Thanks

Let's see: can a player claim a stalemate if the player has no moves but one move?

jg2017

#7

Making a move is mandatory so you can’t claim stalemate if you can enpassent.

InnateAluminum

#8

"en-passant is not mandatory"

Not sure what you're saying here. Are you saying that a non-en passant capture is mandatory?

"en-passant is not mandatory" Not sure what you're saying here. Are you saying that a non-en passant capture is mandatory?

odoaker2015

edited

#9

If the only legal move is an en passant you have to execute the move. That is forced! You cannot claim a stalemate! You have to take the pawn!

pawnedge

#10

Um … I don’t think you can ever “claim a stalemate.” You can claim a draw after a threefold repetition of the position, or otherwise request one only (or else have it auto-declared if there is insufficient material on both sides to trap one’s king), but stalemate is up to your opponent. If he leaves you without a move while you’re not in check, then that’s on him, not you. (If it were on you, you wouldn’t need to claim it: you could just actually stalemate the guy. But why would you ever want to do that? 🤨 If it’s your move, why not try to deliver checkmate, instead?)

Um … I don’t think you can ever “claim a stalemate.” You can claim a _draw_ after a threefold repetition of the position, or otherwise request one only (or else have it auto-declared if there is insufficient material on both sides to trap one’s king), but stalemate is up to your opponent. If he leaves you without a move while you’re not in check, then that’s on him, not you. (If it were on you, you wouldn’t _need_ to claim it: you could just actually stalemate the guy. But why would you ever _want_ to do that? 🤨 If it’s your move, why not try to deliver checkmate, instead?)