Checkmate Moves
- Index -

Putting a King in "Check" is often done, repeatedly, in the build-up, to "Checkmating" your opponent's King.

When the King is directly threatened by one or more of the enemy, that King is said to be in "Check".

At once, ALL ATTEMPTS must be to get the King out of "Check" - whether it's by capturing the threatening piece, which even the King can manage, if close enough ...

Or, another piece, serving the "Checked" King, must either capture or block the attack.

On the flip-side, putting your opponent's King in "Check", with Forks, Skewers, and Pins, for instance, can be a great Chess Tactic for capturing key material of the enemy's army.

If a King is in "Check" but CANNOT get out of it, no matter where the King goes, or what piece moves, then "Checkmate" is instantly declared.

Successfully "Checkmating" your opponent's King will Win you the game.

Naturally, therefore, the player, who's King is in "Checkmate", has just Lost the game.

The first book I got, to do with winning games of Chess, was "Fundamental Chess Endings", by Karsten Muller and Frank Lamprecht.

The opening section of the book covers Basic Checkmate scenarios.

You'll find each of the 5 Basic Checkmates have been explored here, though Muller and Lamprecht go into more detail, with alternative variations.

This group of Checkmate Moves sees games Won without ever getting beyond, what is considered to be, the Opening phase.

Like the collection of Famous 'Mates, these really are "Killer Chess Opening Sequences", which can mercilessly rip apart any opponent who fails to pay enough respect, to what's happening on the Board.

Again, Fundamental Chess Endings introduced me to The Rule Of The Square.

It's an important concept, should you find yourself down to a King and a Pawn, versus your opponent's solitary King.

Knowing this Rule could mean the difference between Winning the game and allowing your oppponent to force a Draw (a situation known as Stalemate).

Pawn Promotion will often give a player a distinct advantage, during the latter stages of a game of Chess.

This group of moves allows either side to get an extra/replacement Knight, Bishop, Rook, or Queen onto the board ...

And, you're not just limited to one more ... it's possible you could have 3 or 4 Queens on the board, with which to press for a crushing victory.

However, Pawn Promotion can result in instant "Checkmate" of your opponent.

Now, I'll be first to admit, I'm not sure "Shepherding Strategy" is an actual term used by FIDE.

However, it's perfect for describing the sequence of moves, between two or more attacking pieces, that effectively force the enemy King to one of the four sides of the board, where Checkmate will be easily achieved.

Famous 'Mates - these are really, quick check games, which serve as more of a WARNING to players - especially beginners - about what can happen if you don't learn the fundamentals of Chess.

Discover 8 of the most Famous Checkmate Moves, such as "Fool's Mate" ('Mate in 2 Moves); "Scholar's Mate" ('Mate in 4 Moves); and "Legall's Mate" ('Mate in 7 Moves).