Chess Endgame Guide : Basic Checkmates

Fundamental Chess Endings, by Karsten Muller and Frank Lamprecht, was the first book I got that focused on Checkmate endings. In the opening section of the book, you’ll find five Basic Checkmate scenarios.

If you want to know more about each scenario, Muller and Lamprecht go into more detail, with alternative variations, in their aforementioned book.

I’ve had a look at each of the 5 Basic Checkmates, which you can access from the index (below) …

Basic Checkmates

In each of the following examples, ignore the specific location of the Checkmated King and, instead, make a note of the general position, as Checkmate would occur even if the positions of all pieces were rotated 90 degrees around each side of the chessboard.

1) King & Queen v. King

This win requires the King to protect his Queen from the rear, while the Queen cuts off all potential escape routes of the enemy King.

Note the INVISIBLE WALL at squares a7-b7-c7, created by the RULE that prevents Kings from sitting on adjacent squares.

This results in a virtual BARRICADE that keeps the enemy King stuck on its back rank, to be Checkmated at distance by the Rook.

3) King & 2x Bishops v. King

Again, the King’s INVISIBLE WALL (f7-g7-h7) prevents the enemy King’s escape from its back rank.

The Bishops work together to shepherd the enemy King into its doomed corner.

4) King, Knight & Bishop v. King

Here, the familiar King’s INVISIBLE WALL (a7-b7-c7) prevents the enemy King’s escape from its back rank.

Meanwhile, note the positions of the other two Pieces: The Knight is on the outside of its King, preventing the enemy King’s escape (a8-b8); the Bishop lands the Checkmate.

5) King & 2x Knights v. King & Pawn