{"id":2508,"date":"2024-04-16T22:48:08","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T22:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/?p=2508"},"modified":"2024-04-16T22:48:08","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T22:48:08","slug":"what-does-checkmate-mean-in-chess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/what-does-checkmate-mean-in-chess\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Checkmate Mean in Chess? (Explained)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In chess, the endgame position of checkmate is where the king piece is threatened with capture by an opponent piece with no moves it can make to escape the threat. <\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);background-color:#edf6ff;border-top:1px solid #242a36;border-right:1px solid #242a36;border-bottom:1px solid #242a36;border-left:1px solid #242a36;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-toggle-icon-style-basiccircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-toggle-icon-style-basiccircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-toggle-icon-style-arrowcircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-toggle-icon-style-arrowcircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-toggle-icon-style-xclosecircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-toggle-icon-style-xclosecircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before{background-color:#edf6ff;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{border-top:1px solid #242a36;border-right:1px solid #242a36;border-bottom:1px solid #242a36;border-left:1px solid #242a36;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2508_8cc240-a6 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{border-top:1px solid #242a36;border-right:1px solid #242a36;border-bottom:1px solid #242a36;border-left:1px solid #242a36;}}<\/style>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Checkmate Meaning &amp; Definition  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Checkmate ends the game with the player with the checkmated king losing to their opponent. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Checkmate is often shortened to \u201cmate\u201d, with \u201ccheck\u201d being the preceding stage where the opponent&#8217;s king is threatened but can execute a move that avoids the opposing piece.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you want to know more about <strong><em>checkmate<\/em><\/strong>? Read on for a concise guide to checkmate which covers everything you need to know about Checkmate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Checkmate the End of the Game?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Though checkmating your opponent ends a game of chess, it is important to remember that the king piece is never actually captured. The king never leaves the board.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You cannot kill or attack a king. Usually, in games where the king\u2019s position appears irretrievable, the game is resigned before the checkmate occurs as continuing is considered bad form.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a Stalemate?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, a game can be ended via<strong> stalemate<\/strong>, where though the king is not in check, all legal moves have been exhausted. This type of game ends in a draw.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Invented Checkmate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To answer this, you need to dig down to the Indo-Persian root of the game, which is steeped in military strategy and ancient conquest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The word checkmate is derived from the Farsi or Arabic<strong> \u0634\u0627\u0647 \u0645\u0627\u062a\u200e or &#8220;sh\u0101h m\u0101t&#8221;<\/strong>, which means &#8220;the King is helpless&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cm\u0101t\u201d, which we recognize as \u201cmate\u201d means measured or traversed, alluding to the prowess of the opponent in taking the dominion in the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An alternate theory relates the term \u201cmate\u201d to the Arabic word \u201cm\u0101ta\u201d&nbsp; meaning died or dead; not only that but staring, mouth agape, and stupified! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other theories postulate that mate means \u201conly I remain\u201d. Dramatic stuff and a decisive end to the game!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Untitled-design-2021-01-13T153258.275-1-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"checkmate in chess\" class=\"wp-image-2524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Untitled-design-2021-01-13T153258.275-1-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Untitled-design-2021-01-13T153258.275-1-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Untitled-design-2021-01-13T153258.275-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Untitled-design-2021-01-13T153258.275-1-775x388.jpg 775w, https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Untitled-design-2021-01-13T153258.275-1-520x260.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Untitled-design-2021-01-13T153258.275-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the earliest Indian versions of chess, the king would be captured, but it is believed that the Persians introduced the \u201ccheck\u201d stage of the game, to avoid games being ended prematurely or accidentally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, early European players favored a version of chess where all other chessmen but the king would be captured for a win (known as annihilation or robado).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the Types of Checkmates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a novice chess player or someone who plays intermittently for fun, giving your endgame and checkmate strategy some thought can strengthen your game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are playing from move to move, knowing one or two of the basic checkmates will give you something to aim for during your midgame and build your confidence in being more assertive on the board.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are<strong> the most common checkmates<\/strong> that can take place when pieces are limited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you and your opponent have both hoovered up the board, you can force checkmate with just a single additional piece, often a queen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, the more chessmen you retain, the easier it is to pressure a king into checkmate. Let\u2019s take a look:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Basic Checkmates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong style=\"color: var(--global-palette3); font-family: inherit;\">Checkmate with a queen<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A queen is a common agent provocateur for forcing a checkmate especially if a resilient pawn has made it across the board to be queened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A king and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/queen-vs-pawn-endgame\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">queen<\/a> can be used for a checkmate towards any of the four edges of the board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The queen faces the opposing king on a directly adjacent square, and the king on the same side is directly behind the queen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To take out the queen would force an illegal move (<strong><em>see our article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/can-a-king-kill-a-king-in-chess\/\">can a king kill a king?<\/a><\/em><\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, if there is an opposition situation where two kings face each other, the queen can force a mate to move in the rank (row) or file (column) of the opponent&#8217;s king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong style=\"color: var(--global-palette3); font-family: inherit;\">Checkmate with a king and a rook<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Any of the four edges or corners of the board can be used to force a checkmate using a rook and a king in opposition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Checkmates using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/endgame-rook-vs-pawn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rook <\/a>can be forced in a relatively small number of moves and many books and tutorials exist on how you can integrate this strategy into your endgame.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong style=\"color: var(--global-palette3); font-family: inherit;\">Checkmate using two bishops<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another well-known checkmate, where the king is in a corner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bishops can cut off the options for a king that is being opposed by occupying the right and left diagonals adjacent to the king from any clear distance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Other well-known checkmates<\/em><\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you start to learn more and exercise the different basic checkmates, it is only a matter of time before you come across other classic checkmates that are well worth recognizing in your study and game analysis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the videos below to see how these mates work out in over-the-board play.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong style=\"color: var(--global-palette3); font-family: inherit;\">What is a corridor mate in chess?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Also known as a back rank mate involves a rook or queen moving into the back rank and trapping a king that cannot move because its way is blocked by a row of friendly pawns.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong style=\"color: var(--global-palette3); font-family: inherit;\">What is the fool&#8217;s Mate in chess?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the fastest possible mate and involves the early release of a queen that mates the king on an exposed diagonal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong style=\"color: var(--global-palette3); font-family: inherit;\">What is a scholar&#8217;s mate in chess?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The scholar\u2019s mate is executed in four moves and sets up a definitive mate using the queen and a bishop on the diagonal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is also a wide range of rare and unusual mates, which given the inventiveness of many chess players are constantly being added to, either in live play or as part of working out chess problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>How can I improve my checkmate skills?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If this article has motivated you to brush up on your chess skills you have a range of options for developing your checkmate strategies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why not devote some time to mastering the moves necessary for an inescapable mate every time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Studying chess theory<\/strong> will give you an all-around perspective and new insights on the game of chess and even if you don\u2019t always have someone to play with you can work out chess problems to exercise your skills.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.uschess.org\/index.php\/Chess-Clubs.html\" target=\"_blank\">Over the board play as part of a club<\/a> is a great way to learn about checkmates as you will have the benefit of experience players who can tutor you and hopefully you will pick up good habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/chess.com\" target=\"_blank\">online chess<\/a> means you can put your moves into practice 24 hours per day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Your move!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In chess, the endgame position of checkmate is where the king piece is threatened with capture by an opponent piece with no moves it can make to escape the threat&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":2519,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2508"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5335,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508\/revisions\/5335"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrscheckmate.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}