Scholar’s mate and how to stop it
Scholar’s mate is the four-move checkmate that catches beginners. Learn how it works and the simple move that stops it. Opening principles · lesson 2 of 2.
The lesson in words
Watch the opening. White aims the bishop and queen at f7, the weakest square in Black’s camp: only the king protects it.
Black’s last move attacks the queen, but misses the threat.
The queen and bishop both hit f7.
Try it: Checkmate in one move.
Now you know the trap from both sides. Time to test yourself against the practice bots.
Questions
What’s the best defence?
…g6 blocks the queen’s path and kicks her next move. …Nf6 attacks the queen but allows Qxf7 mate. (…Qe7 also works.)