all endgame positions can be put into two camps. on the one hand are positions which may be won by force. on the other hand are positions which are drawn, or which should be drawn. the ones that are drawn for certain may be legally drawn (mate could not happen) or drawn by chess experience (no sane defence could lose). all endgames in master chess revolve around the borderline between winning and drawing. generally, once a 'textbook' drawn position is reached the players will agree a draw; otherwise they play on.