Surprise Stalemate (... it was for me, at least!)

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tamdao

What would you do as white?  A win seems out of the question, but how about a nice draw by stalemate?

A friend is white and isn't giving up, smartly so.  I'm black and blinded with the prospect of promoting two pawns to beautiful black queens.  Unfortunately for me, I didn't get that far.  Here's how one little white king trumped an opposing king, a queen, a bishop and a little pawn racing to glory.

[After white's last move in the puzzle, clicking forward can take you to the last move by black.]

FredericW

Hi Tamdao, I must confess, that was my first stalemate.

Certanly I have nothing but compliments to a great contender like you. I wasn't planning the stalemate, like you well said, I wasn't giving up. I tried the best I could, but at the end I saw myself .....alone. I was going to take that bishop as last unnecesary efort......when I saw a little possibility, if I just held myself back to take that bishop and Tamdao tries to promote the pawn for a major victory........Stalemate! ......I didn't see it until the last move.

My friend.....was even more surprissing for me.

    Great game Tamdao!

tamdao

i still laugh when i remember this game!  too funny... and too beautiful, very restrained.  Laughing  when i saw you didn't take the bishop, i was surprised, but didn't stop to think.  big mistake!

i have been in your position before, i lost the initiative in an endgame but still with some pieces, and somehow magically put myself in an unintentional stalemate.  it was a very pleasant surprise, but done out of complete ignorance.  all the more, yours was very fine.