Can a King Checkmate a King? (Full Chess Rule Explained)

Gulshan Kumar
Gulshan Kumar
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5 min read

|

Last updated: Feb 06, 2026

Close-up of white and black kings on a chess board illustrating the concept of whether a king can checkmate another king

The king is the highest-ranked piece on the chessboard. When it is under check, then the board is over. But then many amateurs would ask, can a king play chess with a king? Or may a king assail another king?

All of these questions that arise since the movement of the king appear to be just like the rest; he can move, capture, and even threaten, but how can he not deliver checkmate?

FAQs

  • No, a king could not kill or could not be able to capture another king. Before that may occur, the game is over.
  • No, it's illegal. The kings should never touch.
  • If only two kings are remaining on the chessboard, it is called a draw due to a dead position, as neither of them can checkmate the other.

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