Checkmate requires a checked king with no legal response. Stalemate occurs when the player to move is not in check and has no legal move.
What to do
First determine whether the king is attacked. Then examine every legal move, including moves by other pieces. Keep those checks separate when evaluating a nearly bare board.
A mistake to avoid
Do not call a position stalemate merely because the king cannot move. Another piece or pawn may still have a legal move.
A detail worth checking
Ask the learner to identify the last legal escape considered. This makes the reasoning visible and helps distinguish an overlooked piece move from confusion about the king being attacked.
Try this practical check
Take a simple verified position and change one piece placement to alter whether the king is in check. Explain how that changes the result when no legal move exists.
Related reading
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