Checkmate

Be on the lookout for a check so dangerous that it traps the King. Because a King must always escape check, we never have the opportunity to capture him. However, we can surround the King with players and give him “Checkmate” if our plan is smart enough. This is how you can force the winning of a game of chess.

Every time you think that you might have a Checkmate, you need to look at the position and check to see if the King can FIGHT, FENCE, or FLEE. If all three ways to escape are impossible then you have a Checkmate. The only other way to win a game of chess is if your opponent resigns the position or concedes the game. This means that someone “gives up”. There are other ways to end the game without winning. Those are explained in the next few pages.

Example 1

This example shows that the black King has been Checkmated. The King is not able to FIGHT, FENCE, or FLEE. When all defenses are useless, it is Checkmate.

If you noticed, the pawns are in the Kings way. If a pawn had been moved before, he would have had an easy escape route. This mate is called a "Backrank Checkmate". This game is now over and both players may decide to play again. You should always say to your partner "Good Game" to show good sportsmanship after a game.

The black King has been checkmated.

Example 2

This example shows that the black King has been Checkmated. The King is not able to FIGHT, FENCE, or FLEE. When all defenses are useless, it is Checkmate.

Notice that the King is not able to take the Queen because he would place himself in Check from the Rook. This mate is called an "In Your Face Checkmate" because she is right in his face and cannot be captured. This game is now over and both players may decide to play again. It was time for the black team to say "Good Game".

The black King has been checkmated.

Example 3

This example shows that the black King has been Checkmated. The King is not able to FIGHT, FENCE, or FLEE. When all defenses are useless, it is Checkmate.

This is a somewhat rare Checkmate that takes real practice and study to master. Notice that white is runing out of pieces! When this happens you must use all of your forces, sometimes even including your King! This game is now over and both players may decide to play again. It was time for the black team to say "Good Game".

The black King has been checkmated.

Example 4

This example shows that the black King has been Checkmated. The King is not able to FIGHT, FENCE, or FLEE. When all defenses are useless, it is Checkmate.

A very popular Checkmate. This is an easy Checkmate to learn after the basics are mastered. One Rook limits the Kings movement and the other delivers Checkmate. This is called the "Rolling Rooks Mate". This game is now over and both players may decide to play again. It was time for the black team to say "Good Game".

The black King has been checkmated.