Beginner lesson
Checkmate basics
Checkmate means the king is attacked and has no legal escape. The game ends immediately—you never capture the king.
Ask three questions after giving check
- Can the king move to a safe square?
- Can another piece capture the attacker?
- Can another piece block the check?
It is checkmate only when every answer is no.
Back-rank mate
A rook or queen attacks a king along its back rank while the king’s own pawns block its escape. Give your king an escape square before this danger appears.
Queen and king mate
The queen takes away many escape squares while your king protects the queen. Push the enemy king toward an edge, bring your king closer, and only then give the final protected check.
Rook and king mate
The rook cuts the enemy king off one rank or file at a time. Your king approaches to control escape squares until the rook can safely check along the edge.
Avoid accidental stalemate
If the opponent is not in check but has no legal move, the game is a draw. When you have a winning advantage, leave the enemy king at least one legal square until you are ready to checkmate.
Now practise the finish
Start an Easy Bot game and inspect every available check before each move.