What is checkmate in chess?
Checkmate is check with no way out, and it wins the game. Learn to recognise checkmate and deliver your first ones. Check and checkmate · lesson 2 of 3.
The lesson in words
Checkmate means the king is in check and there is no way out: it can’t move, the check can’t be blocked and the attacker can’t be captured.
Watch: the rook checks along the back row, and Black’s own pawns trap the king. Checkmate, White wins.
Your turn. Your king guards the squares around the black king, and your queen can finish the job.
Try it: Checkmate in one move.
A rook can do it too, with help from the king.
Try it: Checkmate in one move.
That’s how chess games are won. Next: stalemate, the draw that catches beginners out.
Questions
Would Rd8 be checkmate here?
No. With the f-pawn gone the king has an escape square on f7. Check, but not mate.