Chess Checkmate Patterns

This article describes some notable checkmate patterns.

Back Rank Mate

Back-Rank Mate is a checkmate delivered by a rook or queen along the back rank in which the king is unable to move because it is blocked by friendly pieces on the second rank.

Checkmate in 3:

1. Qf7+ Kh8
2. Qf8+ Bxf8
3. Rxf8#

Double Bishop Mate

Two bishops side by side control all fields around the king and therefore checkmate the king.

Checkmate in 1: Heinrich Ranneforth vs. Herbert Edward Dobell, 1903:

1. Bxe5#

Checkmate in 2: Victor Kahn vs Carl Hartlaub, 1916:

1. ... Qxf3+
2. Bxf3 Bxf3#

Boden's Mate

Two attacking bishops with crossing diagonals deliver checkmate to a king obstructed by friendly pieces:

Checkmate in 2: R Schulder vs. Samuel Standidge Boden, 1853:

1. ... Qxc3+
2. bxc3 Ba3#