Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates and Stalemate

Part 1: Basic Checkmates: King and Queen vs Lone King Concepts:
What is a checkmate pattern? Using the Queen! Coordinating and using your pieces together for a p an!goa !

Step 1, The Pattern: Queen moves a Knight's check/move away from the King: cuuuuuuuuC "ere #e #i continue our study of the $chess %asics&' (o# (wdwdwdwd} that #e have taken the steps needed to earn the ho# the 7dwdwdwdw} game is played) the ne*t step is to earn ho# the game is 6wdwdwdwd} won. Without kno# edge of the %asic checkmate patterns 5dwdwiwdw} and principles) it is hard to +ustify earning anything more &wdwdwdwd} advanced ,#hy earn ho# to $#in a -ueen&) if you can.t 3dwd*dwdw} even $checkmate #ith a -ueen&) right/0'

2wdwdwdwd} %dwdQIwdw} 1ur first e*amp e sho#s an e*ce ent starting position for v,./9EFJMV earning) practicing) and mastering the %asic checkmate:
White moves 1.Qd3

King and Queen vs King' 2here is a simp e pattern and process for #hite to #in this endgame 1334 of the time'''

The Imaginary Box or !orce"#ield: cuuuuuuuuC When #hite moves the -ueen for#ard +ust one s$%are at a (wdw8wdwd} time 5 #hether diagona y or hori6onta y 5 as ong as the 7dwd*dwdw} $knight.s& distance is maintained) she ,the Queen0 creates 6wdw8kdwd} an imaginary %o* ,or $force7fie d&0 around the enemy King' 5dwd*dwdw} By repeating this pattern) the Queen is a% e to force the &wdw!*8*8} enemy King to the edge of the %oard) and eventua y the 3dwdwdwdw} corner) a %y herse f' (otice that a $Lone King& is una% e to 2wdwdwdwd} attack an enemy Queen #ithout moving into check' 2his is %dwdwIwdw} key to understanding #hy this pattern #orks'

v,./9EFJMV
The position continues after 1.Qd3 (diagram 1) 1...Ke !.Qd"

By fo o#ing a natura set of moves such as 8'''Kf9 :'Qe; ,Knight.s check0 :'''Kf< ='Qe> Kg9 ;'Qf; Kg< >'Qf> Kh9 9'Qg; #e reach our ne*t diagram'''

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Lesson 4
Step &, Stop the Queen

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwi} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdw!w} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwIwdw} v,./9EFJMV
#osition resulting after $...Kh%

ring !n the King @ou #i notice that once the % ack King has %een forced to the edge of the %oard) it is no onger necessary to use the $Knight.s check& pattern to make the %o* any sma er' An fact) if the Queen #ere to move to g> after % ack p ays '''Kh< 5 the game #ou d end in a sta emate 5 #hich is a dra# ,tie game0' BSee Part ': Stalemate #or a more detailed description( Anstead of making the %o* sma er) it is no# time to activate the King' Cirst recogni6e the %est s-uare,s0 for the King to $shoot for&' )I*T: 2he King needs to find a s-uare c ose enough to eventua y protect his ady ,the Queen0'''

!ollo+ the Stars, and ,each the -oon cuuuuuuuuC Because #e can not %ring the Queen any c oser #ithout (wdwdwdwi} immediate y ending the game in a stalemate) #e must find 7dwdwd*dw} another #ay to make progress' At is very important that the 6wdwdw8wd} Queen does not start giving $random& checks to the enemy 5dwdwd*!w} King' An fact) i# the King and Queen checkmate pattern is &wdwdw8wd} exec%ted properly, the only check gi.en thro%gho%t the 3dwdwd*dw} entire game sho%ld /e checkmate0 2he #hite Queen 2wdwdw8wd} needs $protection& in order to move for#ard'

%dwdwIwdw} v,./9EFJMV Disp ayed #ith stars is the -uickest route for the #hite King
White&s 'winning path( is highlighted with stars. to $+oin the fight&' An fo o#ing this straight path) eventua y the #hite King #i find himse f in direct $opposition& to the enemy King and in a great position to protect his Queen'''

Step ', King "elps the Queen #nding the $ame %s a &eam cuuuuuuuuC *1T2: 1:'Qg9) immediate y de ivering checkmate #as a so (wdwdwdwd} possi% e in the variation given %eneath our diagramE 7dwdwd 8k} ho#ever) here #e see the most idea position for earning 6wdwdwdwd} the King and Queen vs King checkmate pattern' White has 5dwdwdw!*} three options to end the game: 1='Qg9FE 1='Qh;FE &wdwdwdw8} 1='Qh=F'

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} @ou can no# practice this position) a ternating the corner %dwdwdwdw} #here you trap the King' Gimi ar fina positions) #ith three v,./9EFJMV #ays to p ay checkmate in one move) may a so %e: White
#osition reached after %.Kf! Kh$ ).Kf3 Kh% 1*.Kf" Kh% 11.Kf+ Kh$ 1!.Kf Kh% 13.Kf$ Kh$...

King7g> and Queen7e9 5 B ack King7g<E White King7%> and Queen7d9 5 B ack King7%<E etc'''

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Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates and Stalemate

Part 8: Basic Checkmates: $Hook Ho er&) 2#o Hooks vs Lone King Concepts:
Coordination and cooperation #ith your pieces! Using the rooks! Iore checkmate patterns,

Step 1, The Pattern: 'ne (ook %t a &ime )eave the King ehind cuuuuuuuuC When checkmating the enemy King #ith t#o Hooks there is (wd*dwdwd} a very simp e pattern to fo o#' 2he first thing to rea i6e is 7dk8wdwdw} that you #i not need yo%r 3ing to e*ecute this particu ar 6wd*dwdwd} chec0mate pattern' 2o high ight this point) #e have setup 5dwdwdwdw} our first diagram #ith an idea position for our Hooks) %ut no &wdwdwdwd} #hite King'

3dwdwdwdw} 2!d*dwdwd} Gecond y) remem%er that a Hook does not have to %e c ose %d!dwdwdw} to the enemy King in order to force the King to do #hat the v,./9EFJMV Hook #ants' J rook on %1 contro s every s*uare along the
-n the a.ove position/ .lac0 has no choice .ut to move to the c1file

+,file) #hich means an enemy King must find a safe s-uare on one of the ad+acent fi es: either a or c'''

4hen ,otating ,ook Checks , 5l+ays Lead +ith the ,ook 1n the !%rthest !ile cuuuuuuuuC By eading the attack on the King #ith the Hook that #as (wdwdwdwd} furthest a#ay ,the a7fi e Hook #as farther from the c7fi e 7dwd*dwdw} then the %17Hook0) #hite is %eginning to p%sh the King 6wdk8wdwd} to#ard the opposite edge of the %oard ,eventua y anding 5dwd*dwdw} on the h7fi e0'

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wd!dwdwd} %I!d*dwdw} v,./9EFJMV

2fter 1...Kc white played !.3c!4 5 6eaving the .1 file under control

At is very important that the Hooks remain c ose together) ta0ing turns to de iver the vita check' 2his pattern can repeat itse f) #ithout interruption) unti the % ack King has ventured c ose enough to de iver an attack against one of the Hooks'''

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Lesson 4
Step &, Separate and -oordinate... %gain cuuuuuuuuC Jfter % ack reaches his goa of attacking the ead Hook) (wdwd*dwd} #hite must 5 for the first time 5 separate the Hooks' 7dwdw8wdw} ,*1T2: Af % ack #ere not aggressive in this manner) the 6wdwdwdwd} game #ou d end -uick y #ith the rooks repeating this 5dwdwdwdw} $rotating check& pattern) and eventua y de ivering &wdwdwdwd} checkmate on the h7fi e0'

3dwdwdkdw} 2wdwd!dwd} 2he stars on e9 and e< high ight the %est t#o s-uares for %Iwd!dwdw} the Hook on e8' Jfter ;'He9) for e*amp e) the enemy King v,./9EFJMV faces a tough decision: Gtay near the 1st rank 5 preventing
#osition reached after !...Kd+ 3.3d14 Ke" ".3e!4 and "...Kf3 the coming Hf1KE or race to the far side of the %oard) #ith hopes of catching the e97Hook in time to de ay checkmate for a itt e onger'''

The 2nemy 3ing6s To%gh 7ecision cuuuuuuuuC Af instead % ack had chosen ;'''Kf= 5 attempting a $-uick (wdw8wdwd} +og& to the other side of the %oard 5 #e see the Hooks use 7dwdw"wdw} the rotating checks pattern) even at a distance' White 6wdwdwdwd} continues >'Hf1K Kg: 9'Hg<K Kh8 5 and instead of 5dwdwdwdw} <'Hh1K// osing the Hook 5 the #hite Hooks re+oin forces &wdwdwdwd} to finish the game: <'Hf9 fo o#ed %y L'Hh9F

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwiwd} Jfter % ack.s more stu%%orn move) preventing the Hook %Iwd!dwdw} from checking on f1) #hite %rings the Hooks 5 >'Hd<! 5 v,./9EFJMV %ack together) and prepares for their fina $rock n. ro
7lac0 chose +...Kf! 1 preventing 3f14. tour&'''

Step ', (ock n' (oll (ooks )'/# the #dge of the oard cuuuuuuuuC With the fina three checks occurring on f<) g9) and h< 5 in (wdw"w8w8} that respective order 5 the % ack King is he p ess' White 7dwdw"w8w} kicks off the fina $Hook Ho & #ith 9'Hf<K Kg= <'Hg9K Kh; 6wdwdwdwd} ,the % ack King is almost c ose enough to de ay the 5dwdwdwdw} inevita% e once again) %ut not -uite0 L'Hh<F

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdkdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %Iwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

8lima9 'rotating chec0( se:uence/ position reached after ...Kf3

Js #ith our first t#o patterns) your opponent.s #i ingness to $#ork #ith you& is irre evant' 2his mindset is very important for a chess p ayer.s overa approach and improvement in the game of chess: At is good to deve op p ans of attack that don't depend on your opponent +eing la0y '

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Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates and Stalemate

Part :: Gta emate ,(o Lega Ioves0 M*p ained Concepts:
Basic concept) definition and e*amp es of ;talemate, When a p ayer #hose turn it is to move has no legal mo.es %y any of his!her pieces) /%t is not in check 8 J sta emate has occurred) and the game is a dra# ,tie) #ith each p ayer receiving N a point0' An our first diagram) the #hite Queen on %> contro s every possi% e s-uare that the % ack King can move to) and is therefore) p acing % ack in sta emate' 2his common stalemate position can occur #hen #hite takes the 'Knight&s 8hec0( pattern too far ,see Lesson =) Part 10''' Stalemate 2xample 1

cuuuuuuuuC (k8wdwdwd} 78*dwdwdw} 6w!wdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %Iwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
With .lac0 to move/ the game is over (a stalemate .eing the final result) Stalemate 2xample &

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwIQdwdw} 2w8wdwdwd} %dwiwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
With .lac0 to play/ a stalemate has once again occurred

(otice that % ack #ou d %e in sta emate if the #hite King #ere on %: or a: as #e ' With % ack to p ay) the position on the %oard is a sta emate' 2he #hite King guards %8) #hi e the #hite Queen is contro ing a of % ack.s remaining options' 2he % ack King is not in check) so #e can see the difference %et#een this position and one #here the #hite Queen is de ivering a checkmate 5 on c8) for e*amp e' An this position) #e can see the negative effects of not %sing o%r s%ggested pattern in Part 1 5 %ut instead using the King and Queen together to %o* the King) #here they inevita% y $step on each others toes&'''

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Lesson 4
Stalemate 2xample '

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dw"wdwdw} 6wd*8*"wd} 5dw8k8wdw} &wd*8*dwd} 3#wIwd$dw} 2wdwdQdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
7lac0 has no legal moves/ as white controls every s:uare

An this e*treme y impro%a% e) yet not impossi% e position) #e see an e*travagant e*amp e of sta emate' Mvery s-uare high ighted %y a star is contro ed %y one or more of #hite.s pieces) and though #hite #ou d have mu tip e $mate7in7 ones& if it #ere #hite to move) #ith % ack to p ay 5 this position is a dra#' 1ne very important step in your gro#th as a chess p ayer is the understanding that you don6t need to capt%re e.ery enemy piece in order to checkmate the King) and therefore #in the game' 2his position shou d disp ay the risks of having too many pieces) and not e*ecuting a %asic checkmate pattern ,perhaps one earned in Parts 1 or 80'

Stalemate 2xample 4

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwiwdwd} 7d%&wd%&w} 6w'wdwd(d} 5&)dw&wdw} &)dwd)dwd} 3dwdwdw*+} 2wdwdw,w,} %dwd-#wI!} v,./9EFJMV
This famous stalemate occurred in Troit<0y vs. =ogt/ 1%)

M*amp e diagram F= revea s that not a sta emate positions occur in the endgame' B ack.s ast move #as 1'''Q*d1 5 capturing #hite.s sacrificed Queen and p acing #hite in immediate sta emate' 2hough #hite has many pieces) none can move: 2he Hook on h1 is trapped' 2he King can not move #ithout %eing attacked %y the h:7%ishop' 2he Knight on g:) Bishop on e1) and Pa#n on f8 are a $pinned& to the King ,#hich means they can not move #ithout p acing their o#n King in check %y an enemy piece0' Cina y) every other Pa#n is simp y % ocked %y an enemy piece or Pa#n'

#1ample 2: -ommon Stalemate 3isunderstanding cuuuuuuuuC 1ne common mistake made in regards to eva uating (wdwdwdwi} #hether or not a given position is sta emate is sho#n here' 7d.dwdQdw} 2hough the % ack King is trapped 5 having no ega moves 6wdwdwd d} 5 there remains other pieces that m%st move' White #i 5&wdwdwdw} fo o# #ith checkmate on g9) f< or e< ne*t move'

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

The a.ove position is >?T stalemate

1%vious y to determine #hether or not a position is sta emate) one shou d a #ays ook at the King.s position) options for the King to move) and #hether or not the King is in checkE ho#ever) as #e earned from the ast t#o diagrams 5 the King's position and a+ility to move is not the only thing that determines stalemate.

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Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates and Stalemate

Anstructor.s Ouide
When teaching the %asic checkmate patterns) #e recommend that students first memori6e the three steps ,may a so %e referred to as ru es or princip es0 associated #ith each different checkmate' 2he coach.s instruction!demonstration on either a demo7%oard) pro+ector) or in some other $group earning& format is most effective #hen a chi d has no e*perience' Gu%se-uent y) students shou d practice the position #ith a partner 5 prefera% y another student trying to master the same techni-ue 5 a ternating offense and defense a minimum of three to five times' We recommend having students move -uick y from earning sta emate ,Part :0 to the practica $Checkmate or Gta emate/& Worksheets' Without the immediate app ication of their ne#found kno# edge) the differences %et#een checkmate and sta emate #i genera y %ecome confused in a chi d.s mind' Coach.s #i find themse ves ans#ering many raised hands 5 a #ith some version of the same -uestion: $As this checkmate/& 7 or perhaps) $Jm A sta emated or checkmated/& Practical *otes and 5d.ice 8 Lesson 4: ,e#erencing the in.isi/le #orce"#ield the 9%een creates aro%nd the enemy 3ing can help stim%late the imagination and the child6s interest le.el +hen learning this /asic checkmate pattern :Part 1;0 ,eminding each st%dent that *1 check sho%ld /e played /y the 9%een, %ntil checkmate, can help instill discipline in the child6s tho%ght process :Part 1;0 5llo+ing the st%dents to practice this checkmate pattern :Part &; %sing only the t+o ,ooks :+itho%t the +hite 3ing on the /oard; can help the learning process0 <ntil the children ha.e de.eloped a /etter %nderstanding o# the pattern, +hen st%mped , children may reach to mo.e their 3ing rather than make the necessary e##ort to reali=e coordination /et+een the ,ooks0 St%dents sho%ld mo.e directly #rom Part ' to Checkmate or Stalemate +orksheets 8 ideally /e#ore the end o# a class>session, +hile the ideas an di##erences /et+een Checkmate and Stalemate are still #resh0

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Lesson 4 Lesson 4: Checkmate or Stalemate?

An each of these positions) the % ack King is in either $checkmate& or $sta emate&' Circ e the correct ans#er %eneath each diagram'

cuuuuuuuuC (wiwdwdwd} 7dQdwdwdw} 6wd dwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwd/d} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Circle the correct answer: Checkmate? or Stalemate?

cuuuuuuuuC (kdwdwdwd} 7dw!wdwdw} 6 dwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} ,./9EFJM
Circle the correct answer: Checkmate? or Stalemate?

cuuuuuuuuC (w0w1w0wi} 7dw'+*w&w} 6wd%dw&wd} 5&%d%dwdw} &wdw,w,)d} 3dw,wdwdw} 2),w#wdwd} %dwIw"wd!} v,./9EFJMV
Circle the correct answer: Checkmate? or Stalemate?

cuuuuuuuuC (wd dwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2w"wdwd!d} %iwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Circle the correct answer: Checkmate? or Stalemate?

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Lesson 4 Lesson 4: Checkmate or Stalemate?

An each of these positions) the % ack King is in either $checkmate& or $sta emate&' Circ e the correct ans#er %eneath each diagram'

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwIwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwd+iw} &wdwd(dwd} 3dwdwdw'w} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} ,./9EFJM
Circle the correct answer: Checkmate? or Stalemate?

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwIw} 2wdwdwdwd} %d!dwdwiw} v,./9EFJMV
Circle the correct answer: Checkmate? or Stalemate?

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwi} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwd *} 5dwdw#wdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Circle the correct answer: Checkmate? or Stalemate?

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdw&wdwd} 5dwd)dwd%} &wdwdwdw,} 3* dwdwdw} 2wdw*wdwd} %iwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Circle the correct answer: Checkmate? or Stalemate?

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Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates and Stalemate

Jns#er Key
Worksheet Page 1 5 Checkmate or Gta emate/:
7iagram @1 8 Checkmate 7iagram @& 8 Checkmate 7iagram @' 8 Gta emate 7iagram @4 8 Gta emate

Worksheet Page 8 5 Checkmate or Gta emate/:

7iagram @1 8 Gta emate 7iagram @& 8 Checkmate 7iagram @' 5 Checkmate 7iagram @4 5 Gta emate

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