The object of the game of chess is to get the opposing king into checkmate. This can happen with a lot of chess pieces still on the board or with just a few. It can happen in a few moves or in many. The one thing you do not want to happen is a stalemate. A stalemate occurs when a king cannot make any move without putting himself in check (direct attack) and no other moves can be made at that time.
On the rare occasion that I appear to be winning because I am ahead in material (I have more pieces on the board with value greater than my opponent), I too often lose sight of the chase and end up in a stalemate. I have to learn how to checkmate.
And I thought that was the easy part!
As I See It 