Checkmate

The locution checkmate refers to a chess position in which the king is threatened (in check) and this situation cannot be changed by any legal move. The player who manages to checkmate the opponent's king will be the winner of the game. The expression comes from the Arabic شاه مات (shâh mâta), which means "the king is trapped" or "the king has no escape".

The check, as a capturing threat move, can only be evaded in one of the following 3 ways:

1. Capture the attacking piece.
2. Interpose one of the pieces between the attacker and the king (unless the attacker is a horse).
3. Stay away from the attack king.

If none of the 3 previous ways is possible, then it is called a checkmate and the game is over.

Basic Maths

The following are the most common fundamental mates, where one side only has its king and the other, in addition to its king, has the minimum material to force a checkmate on the opponent.

• The checkmate with the lady is the most elementary and has no technical difficulties. The only danger to be avoided is the possibility of drowning.
• The second matt check in difficulty scale, but also elemental, is the one that is done with the tower.
• The mates with two Alfiles and with a bishop and a horse are rarely presented in practice and, of the two, the most frequent is matt with an alphy and a horse. The matt with two pins is very easy to perform, but the matt with pin and horse requires precision.
• Two horses can't force a checkmate a lone king if the defense side plays accurately. Paradoxically, although of high technical difficulty, it is possible in certain positions, if the defense side has additional material, typically a pawn, not to drown the opposite king.

Front mat with lady and king.

Mate with lady and king.
The lady acts like a tower.

Queen Mate

See also: Lady and king against king

These diagrams show the basic checkmating position with a queen, which can occur on either edge of the board. Obviously, the exact position may vary from the diagram. Being Black's turn, mate can be forced (in no more than 10 moves) from any initial position of the pieces.

In first position, the queen is directly in front of the enemy king.

In second position, the kings are in opposition and the queen mates from the kingside.

Mate with two towers.

Mate with Two Rooks

See also: Two towers and king against king

This is the first mate a beginner should practice, as it is the simplest and easiest to understand. The enemy king must be brought to the side with two rooks using the method known as "the ladder". It is not essential to use the king to get mate. Similar is mate with queen and rook, and checkmate with three queens.

Mate with king and tower.

Rook Mate

See also: Tower and king against king

The following is the basic mate position with a rook, which can occur on any edge of the board. Being Black's turn, mate can be forced in no more than 16 moves from any starting position of the pieces.

Mate with king, horse and ivory. The king of the defense side is in a corner.

Mate with king, horse and ivory. The king of the defense side is in a scam next to a corner.