Exercises — mat

Before you check, count the squares the king can go to. The knight already covers two. If only one is left, look at what is waiting for him there.

• mat
• echec
• cavalier
• dame

Not started

2 moves

Your king already covers the squares in front of the black king. One rank is left to occupy, and the queen must get there without being taken.

• mat
• dame
• finale

Not started

1 move

One rook already holds the seventh rank, so the king cannot come down. The other rook has just one step left.

• mat
• escalier
• tour
• finale

Not started

1 move

One bishop already covers the king's escape square. The other has to give check on the second diagonal — and only one square does it.

• mat
• fous
• diagonale

Not started

1 move

The black king is shut in by its own pawns. Only the back rank is left to it — take it.

• mat
• couloir
• tour

Not started

1 move

Look at Black's three pawns. They shelter their king and, at the same time, they shut him in. Which rank has he got left?

• mat
• couloir
• tour

Not started

1 move

The rook cannot mate yet: the black king has two squares. Walk your king up to leave it only one, then mate.

• mat
• finale
• opposition

Not started

2 moves

The black king is already nearly shut in by his pawns. One square is left — and his own rook can come and block it, if you make it.

• mat
• attraction
• sacrifice
• cavalier
• etouffe

Not started

2 moves

Black's rook holds the whole back rank. The bishop cannot replace it — a bishop does not watch a rank. Make them swap jobs.

• mat
• deviation
• couloir
• sacrifice

Not started

2 moves

Black's rook guards the back rank. It can only guard one thing at a time — make it capture something.

• mat
• sacrifice
• couloir
• tour

Not started

2 moves

Black's rook has two jobs: defend the bishop and guard the back rank. Ask it to do both at once.

• surcharge
• mat
• couloir
• tour

Not started

2 moves