Trainings
95 trainings graded 1–10. Log in to track what you complete.
Checkmate patterns 4
Checkmate patternsLesson + quiz
The 8 basic mating patterns
A guided tour of the classic mating pictures every player should recognise instantly: back rank, smothered, Anastasia, Arabian, Boden, Greco, Damiano and the queen-and-knight mate.
3/10· Novice7 sections · ~12 min
Checkmate patternsPuzzle set
The Arabian mate
A knight on f6 (or f3) and a rook team up against a king in the corner. The knight protects the rook and guards the escape square.
3/10· Novice5 puzzles · ~8 min
Checkmate patternsPuzzle set
Back-rank mates II
The back rank is defended. Deflect, overload or exchange the defender with a sacrifice, then mate.
4/10· Novice4 puzzles · ~10 min
Checkmate patternsPuzzle set
Smothered mate
A knight checks a king that is boxed in by its own pieces. Learn the finish and Philidor's legacy, the queen sacrifice that sets it up.
4/10· Novice5 puzzles · ~10 min