Trouble Understanding the Draw and Stalemate

The terms "draw" and "stalemate" are synonymous, correct?

Now for my confusion.  I am having trouble understanding the concept of a checkmate and a draw.  No matter how many times I've read the definitions and examples, it's still not clear.

I'm a two-year-old whose Mom has just read to me from the original Canterbury Tales and then says, "Wasn't that lovely, sweetie?"  I look at Mom with this dumbfounded look and nod, not having understood a single word of the Olde English from the classic work.

Okay, a draw comes in different forms. Checkmate is when the opposing king is being checked, and there is no way to put it out of check. Stalemate is when the opponent has no legal moves left. Stalemate is a draw and checkmate is a win. There are also other ways to draw, like running out of time with insufficient material or the 50-move rule. The thing is, a draw is not a win, while a checkmate is a win.

Idk if this is a troll post

What makes you think this is a troll post?  Perhaps the child/mom blurb, but I'm a writer with a fertile imagination and that's just how I work. 

I was in a bad accident years ago and after I recovered, I legitimately have a hard time focusing, processing, and understanding written instructions and do best via hands-on.  But thank you for the information.

No, they are not synonymous. There are a number of ways a game can be drawn, and stalemate is just one of them. Stalemate is always a draw, but a draw is not always stalemate.

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that this was just a metaphor and you're not actually a troll...

So there are many types of draws, and a stalemate is one type. You can think of stalemate as being a subset of a draw. All stalemates are draws, but not all draws are stalemates.

Other types of draws (that are not stalemate) include:

1) Draw by agreement

2) Draw by threefold repetition

3) Draw by fifty-move rule

4) Draw by insufficient material

5) Draw by timeout vs insufficient material

A draw just means that neither player won or lost, but it doesn't actually describe why neither player won or lost.

"Draw by stalemate" tells you that the draw, in this particular case, happened because of a stalemate.

For the definition of stalemate: it's when one player has no legal moves, but isn't in check. Remember that it's illegal to put yourself in check. So if you've run out of moves, but you're not actually in check, then the game ends in a draw by stalemate.

Stalemate is the reason for a game ending in a draw. But a draw is just the result.

Ok, so I'll try to be detailed with the explanation.

Draw is a general term where both players score half a point. Stalemate is just one particular way to draw the game. There are others. 

Types of draws: 

1. Draw by agreement 

There is the option for both players to reach a position where they believe that it is in their best interest to draw the game so they agree to get a draw.

2. 50 move rule

If 50 moves are made and no pawns are moved and no captures happened during that time, the game is a draw.

3. Threefold repetition move

If the exact same position is on the board 3 times (doesn't have to be in a row), with the same player to move each time, the game is a draw. Perpetual check for instance will end as a threefold repetition draw.

4. Draw by insufficient material

For instance if one side has a king and the other a king and a bishop it is a draw, because there can't be a checkmate.

One special case is a draw when one side would lose on time but it is a draw because the other side doesn't have enough material to checkmate the opponent.

5. Stalemate

Stalemate is when one side doesn't have a legal move on the board but that side's king is not in check.

So what is the difference between stalemate and checkmate? Here is the answer:

Checkmate = 1-0 = Your opponent doesn't have a legal move and his king is in check

Stalemate = 0.5-0.5 = Your opponent doesn't have a legal move and his king is not in check

Not necessarily. It's only stalemate if it's that side's turn to move.

Thank you, Lagomorth.  
Deranged and nklristic, I appreciate the detailed explanations.  I'm creating a doc to print out, study, and keep at hand.  I know nothing about scoring either; my knowledge at this point is limited to movements of the pieces.  I have been checking into chess clubs near me so I can get some hands-on, which is what I really need.  No luck so far, but I haven't checked Meetup yet. 

Can you recommend any books that are good for beginners?

Again, thank you all.

I wouldn't mention that one side has no legal moves if it is the other player's turn. So that should be obvious.  

What's obvious to you and me might not be obvious to MaryMeow. It would have been a good detail to include in your detailed explanation.

So for me, Chess PreK it is.  I haven't played since I was 7; my brother Dan taught me. 

When we lost Dan a week ago, I began playing.  Before I start every game, I think of him and say, "This one's for you, Dan!"  This is my way of honoring him and keeping his memory alive.

You've given me some great info and a year from now, I hope to have progressed to the point where I am confident enough to play with someone rather than just the computer.
Thank you so much.