Deadlock vs. Stalemate — What's the Difference?

A standstill resulting from two opposing actions.

A draw or tie where progress or victory is impossible.

A point in negotiations where no progress can be made.

A situation where neither party can gain an advantage.

A tie or draw where no winner emerges.

An impasse in a situation or argument.

Mutual interference preventing progress.

Stalemate is a situation in the game of chess where the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but has no legal move. The rules of chess provide that when stalemate occurs, the game ends as a draw.

A situation in computing where processes block each other.

A situation in which further action is blocked; a deadlock.

In concurrent computing, a deadlock is a state in which each member of a group waits for another member, including itself, to take action, such as sending a message or more commonly releasing a lock. Deadlocks are a common problem in multiprocessing systems, parallel computing, and distributed systems, where software and hardware locks are used to arbitrate shared resources and implement process synchronization.In an operating system, a deadlock occurs when a process or thread enters a waiting state because a requested system resource is held by another waiting process, which in turn is waiting for another resource held by another waiting process.

A position in chess resulting in a draw because the player whose turn it is, though not currently in check, would be put into check by any possible move.

A standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces or factions.

To bring into a stalemate.

(Sports) A tied score.

(chess) The state in which the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves, resulting in a draw.

(Computers) A failure or inability to proceed due to two programs or devices both requiring a response from the other before completing an operation.

(by extension) Any situation that has no obvious possible movement, but involves no personal loss.

Chiefly British A deadbolt.

Any kind of match in which neither contestant laid claim to victory; a draw.

To bring or come to a deadlock.

To bring about a state in which the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves.

A standstill resulting from the opposition of two evenly matched forces; a stalemate or impasse.

To bring about a stalemate, in which no advance in an argument is achieved.

(computing) An inability to continue due to two programs or devices each requiring a response from the other before completing an operation.

The position of the king when he can not move without being placed in check and there is no other piece which can be moved.

(intransitive) To cause or come to a deadlock.

To subject to a stalemate; hence, to bring to a stand.

A lock which is not self-latching, but requires a key to throw the bolt forward.

A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible;

A counteraction of things, which produces an entire stoppage; a complete obstruction of action.

Drawing position in chess: any of a player's possible moves would place his king in check

A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible;

Subject to a stalemate

A situation in chess where no player can make a legal move.

A deadlock in a competition or battle.

Stalemate is a specific chess term where no legal move is possible, while Deadlock is a broader term for a standstill.

Yes, Deadlock can describe political scenarios where negotiations or discussions are at an impasse.

While originating from chess, Stalemate can metaphorically describe any situation where neither side can progress.

Yes, Deadlock often refers to computing scenarios where processes prevent each other from progressing.

Deadlock originates from situations of standstill, especially in computing and negotiations.

While similar, they aren't perfect synonyms. Deadlock implies mutual obstruction, while Stalemate indicates an inability to win or progress.

The primary outcome is a tie or a situation where no progress can be made.

Yes, a Stalemate in chess results in the game ending in a tie.

Yes, it can describe a situation where neither side can gain a decisive advantage.

A Stalemate results in a draw, typically granting each player half a point in tournament play.

Yes, Deadlocks often require intervention or a change in conditions to be resolved.

Deadlock is frequently used to describe stalled negotiations, halted discussions, or any situation where opposing forces prevent progress.

In databases, a Deadlock can occur when two transactions block each other, waiting for a resource the other holds.

Yes, Deadlock can be used to describe a scenario where there's a tie in votes or decisions.

"The negotiations between the two countries ended in a stalemate."