a consecutive series of checks that the checked player cannot avoid, leading to a drawn game
perpetual check in American English
noun Chess
1.
a continuing series of checks resulting in a drawn game because they cannot be halted or evaded without resulting in checkmate or a serious disadvantage
2.
the situation in which this occurs
Word origin
[1810–20]This word is first recorded in the period 1810–20. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: dominance, technique, triangulation, unitary, zombie