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 plan/goal!

Step 1, The Pattern: Queen moves a Knight's check/move away from the King:
cuuuuuuuuC Here we will continue our study of the chess basics. Now
(wdwdwdwd} that we have taken the steps needed to learn the how the
7dwdwdwdw} game is played, the next step is to learn how the game is
6wdwdwdwd} won. Without knowledge of the basic checkmate patterns
5dwdwiwdw} and principles, it is hard to justify learning anything more
&wdwdwdwd} advanced (why learn how to win a queen, if you can't
3dwd*dwdw} even checkmate with a queen, right?).

2wdwdwdwd}
%dwdQIwdw} Our first example shows an excellent starting position for
v,./9EFJMV learning, practicing, and mastering the basic checkmate:
White moves 1.Qd3

King and Queen vs King. There is a simple pattern and

process for white to win this endgame 100% of the time...

The Imaginary Box or Force-field:

cuuuuuuuuC When white moves the queen forward just one square at a
(wdw8wdwd} time whether diagonally or horizontally as long as the
7dwd*dwdw} knight's distance is maintained, she (the Queen) creates
6wdw8kdwd} an imaginary box (or force-field) around the enemy King.
5dwd*dwdw} By repeating this pattern, the Queen is able to force the
&wdw!*8*8} enemy King to the edge of the board, and eventually the
3dwdwdwdw} corner, all by herself. Notice that a Lone King is unable to
2wdwdwdwd} attack an enemy Queen without moving into check. This is
%dwdwIwdw} key to understanding why this pattern works.

v,./9EFJMV
The position continues
after 1.Qd3 (diagram 1)
1...Ke6 2.Qd4

ChessKid.com

By following a natural set of moves such as 2...Kf7 3.Qe5

(Knight's check) 3...Kf8 4.Qe6 Kg7 5.Qf5 Kg8 6.Qf6 Kh7
7.Qg5 we reach our next diagram...

Page 1 of 10

Lesson 4
Step 2, Stop the Queen Bring In the King
cuuuuuuuuC You will notice that once the black King has been forced to
(wdwdwdwi} the edge of the board, it is no longer necessary to use the
7dwdwdwdw} Knight's check pattern to make the box any smaller. In
6wdwdwdwd} fact, if the Queen were to move to g6 after black plays
5dwdwdw!w} ...Kh8 the game would end in a stalemate which is a
&wdwdwdwd} draw (tie game). *See Part 3: Stalemate for a more
3dwdwdwdw} detailed description*

2wdwdwdwd}
%dwdwIwdw} Instead of making the box smaller, it is now time to activate
v,./9EFJMV the King. First recognize the best square(s) for the King to
Position resulting after
7...Kh8

shoot for. HINT: The King needs to find a square close

enough to eventually protect his lady (the Queen)...

Follow the Stars, and Reach the Moon

cuuuuuuuuC Because we can not bring the Queen any closer without
(wdwdwdwi} immediately ending the game in a stalemate, we must find
7dwdwd*dw} another way to make progress. It is very important that the
6wdwdw8wd} Queen does not start giving random checks to the enemy
5dwdwd*!w} King. In fact, if the King and Queen checkmate pattern is
&wdwdw8wd} executed properly, the only check given throughout the
3dwdwd*dw} entire game should be checkmate. The white Queen
2wdwdw8wd} needs protection in order to move forward.

%dwdwIwdw}
v,./9EFJMV Displayed with stars is the quickest route for the white King
White's winning path is
highlighted with stars.

to join the fight. In following this straight path, eventually

the white King will find himself in direct opposition to the
enemy King and in a great position to protect his Queen...

Step 3, King Helps the Queen Ending the Game As a Team

cuuuuuuuuC NOTE: 13.Qg7, immediately delivering checkmate was also
(wdwdwdwd} possible in the variation given beneath our diagram;
7dwdwdK8k} however, here we see the most ideal position for learning
6wdwdwdwd} the King and Queen vs King checkmate pattern. White has
5dwdwdw!*} three options to end the game: 14.Qg7#; 14.Qh5#;
&wdwdwdw8} 14.Qh4#.

3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdwdwd} You can now practice this position, alternating the corner
%dwdwdwdw} where you trap the King. Similar final positions, with three
v,./9EFJMV ways to play checkmate in one move, may also be: White
Position reached after
8.Kf2 Kh7 9.Kf3 Kh8
10.Kf4 Kh8 11.Kf5 Kh7
12.Kf6 Kh8 13.Kf7 Kh7...

ChessKid.com

King-g6 and Queen-e7 Black King-g8; White King-b6 and

Queen-d7 Black King-b8; etc...

Page 2 of 10

Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates
and Stalemate
Part 2: Basic Checkmates: Rook Roller, Two Rooks vs Lone King
Concepts:

Coordination and cooperation with your pieces!

Using the rooks!
More checkmate patterns!

Step 1, The Pattern: One Rook At a Time Leave the King Behind
cuuuuuuuuC When checkmating the enemy King with two Rooks there is
(wd*dwdwd} a very simple pattern to follow. The first thing to realize is
7dk8wdwdw} that you will not need your King to execute this particular
6wd*dwdwd} checkmate pattern. To highlight this point, we have setup
5dwdwdwdw} our first diagram with an ideal position for our Rooks, but no
&wdwdwdwd} white King.

3dwdwdwdw}
2Rd*dwdwd} Secondly, remember that a Rook does not have to be close
%dRdwdwdw} to the enemy King in order to force the King to do what the
v,./9EFJMV Rook wants. A rook on b1 controls every square along the
In the above position,
black has no choice but to
move to the c-file

b-file, which means an enemy King must find a safe square

on one of the adjacent files: either a or c...

When Rotating Rook Checks, Always Lead with the Rook On the Furthest File
cuuuuuuuuC By leading the attack on the King with the Rook that was
(wdwdwdwd} furthest away (the a-file Rook was farther from the c-file
7dwd*dwdw} then the b1-Rook), white is beginning to push the King
6wdk8wdwd} toward the opposite edge of the board (eventually landing
5dwd*dwdw} on the h-file).

&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw}
2wdRdwdwd}
%IRd*dwdw}
v,./9EFJMV
After 1...Kc6 white played
2.Rc2+ Leaving the bfile under control

ChessKid.com

It is very important that the Rooks remain close together,

taking turns to deliver the vital check. This pattern can
repeat itself, without interruption, until the black King has
ventured close enough to deliver an attack against one of
the Rooks...

Page 3 of 10

Lesson 4
Step 2, Separate and Coordinate... Again
cuuuuuuuuC After black reaches his goal of attacking the lead Rook,
(wdwd*dwd} white must for the first time separate the Rooks.
7dwdw8wdw} (NOTE: If black were not aggressive in this manner, the
6wdwdwdwd} game would end quickly with the rooks repeating this
5dwdwdwdw} rotating check pattern, and eventually delivering
&wdwdwdwd} checkmate on the h-file).

3dwdwdkdw}
2wdwdRdwd} The stars on e7 and e8 highlight the best two squares for
%IwdRdwdw} the Rook on e2. After 5.Re7, for example, the enemy King
v,./9EFJMV faces a tough decision: Stay near the 1st rank preventing
Position reached after
2...Kd5 3.Rd1+ Ke4
4.Re2+ and 4...Kf3

the coming Rf1+; or race to the far side of the board, with
hopes of catching the e7-Rook in time to delay checkmate
for a little longer...

The Enemy King's Tough Decision

cuuuuuuuuC If instead black had chosen 5...Kf4 attempting a quick
(wdw8wdwd} jog to the other side of the board we see the Rooks use
7dwdw$wdw} the rotating checks pattern, even at a distance. White
6wdwdwdwd} continues 6.Rf1+ Kg3 7.Rg8+ Kh2 and instead of
5dwdwdwdw} 8.Rh1+?? losing the Rook the white Rooks rejoin forces
&wdwdwdwd} to finish the game: 8.Rf7 followed by 9.Rh7#

3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdwiwd} After black's more stubborn move, preventing the Rook
%IwdRdwdw} from checking on f1, white brings the Rooks 6.Rd8!
v,./9EFJMV back together, and prepares for their final rock n' roll
Black chose 5...Kf2 preventing Rf1+.

tour...

Step 3, Rock n' Roll Rooks LOVE the Edge of the Board
cuuuuuuuuC With the final three checks occurring on f8, g7, and h8 in
(wdw$w8w8} that respective order the black King is helpless. White
7dwdw$w8w} kicks off the final Rook Roll with 7.Rf8+ Kg4 8.Rg7+ Kh5
6wdwdwdwd} (the black King is almost close enough to delay the
5dwdwdwdw} inevitable once again, but not quite) 9.Rh8#

&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdkdw}
2wdwdwdwd}
%Iwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV
Climax rotating check
sequence, position
reached after 6...Kf3

ChessKid.com

As with our first two patterns, your opponent's willingness to

work with you is irrelevant. This mindset is very important
for a chess player's overall approach and improvement in
the game of chess: It is good to develop plans of attack
that don't depend on your opponent being lazy.

Page 4 of 10

Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates and

Stalemate
Part 3: Stalemate (No Legal Moves) Explained
Concepts:

Basic concept, definition and examples of Stalemate!

Stalemate Example 1

cuuuuuuuuC
(k8wdwdwd}
78*dwdwdw}
6w!wdwdwd}
5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdwdwd}
%Iwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV

When a player whose turn it is to move has no legal

moves by any of his/her pieces, but is not in check A
stalemate has occurred, and the game is a draw (tie, with
each player receiving a point).
In our first diagram, the white Queen on b6 controls every
possible square that the black King can move to, and is
therefore, placing black in stalemate. This common
stalemate position can occur when white takes the
Knight's Check pattern too far (see Lesson 4, Part 1)...

With black to move, the

game is over (a stalemate
being the final result)
Stalemate Example 2

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

ChessKid.com

Notice that black would be in stalemate if the white King

were on b3 or a3 as well. With black to play, the position on
the board is a stalemate. The white King guards b2, while
the white Queen is controlling all of black's remaining
options. The black King is not in check, so we can see the
difference between this position and one where the white
Queen is delivering a checkmate on c2, for example.
In this position, we can see the negative effects of not
using our suggested pattern in Part 1 but instead using
the King and Queen together to box the King, where they
inevitably step on each others toes...

Page 5 of 10

Lesson 4
Stalemate Example 3

cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwdwdwd}
7dw$wdwdw}
6wd*8*$wd}
5dw8k8wdw}
&wd*8*dwd}
3GwIwdNdw}
2wdwdQdwd}
%dwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV
Black has no legal
moves, as white controls
every square

In this extremely improbable, yet not impossible position,

we see an extravagant example of stalemate. Every square
highlighted by a star is controlled by one or more of white's
pieces, and though white would have multiple mate-inones if it were white to move, with black to play this
position is a draw.
One very important step in your growth as a chess player is
the understanding that you don't need to capture every
enemy piece in order to checkmate the King, and therefore
win the game. This position should display the risks of
having too many pieces, and not executing a basic
checkmate pattern (perhaps one learned in Parts 1 or 2).

Stalemate Example 4

cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwiwdwd}
7dp0wdp0w}
6wgwdwdrd}
50Pdw0wdw}
&PdwdPdwd}
3dwdwdwHb}
2wdwdw)w)}
%dwdqGwIR}
v,./9EFJMV
This famous stalemate
occurred in Troitzky vs.
Vogt, 1896

Example diagram #4 reveals that not all stalemate positions

occur in the endgame. Black's last move was 1...Qxd1
capturing white's sacrificed Queen and placing white in
immediate stalemate.
Though white has many pieces, none can move: The Rook
on h1 is trapped. The King can not move without being
attacked by the h3-bishop. The Knight on g3, Bishop on e1,
and Pawn on f2 are all pinned to the King (which means
they can not move without placing their own King in check
by an enemy piece). Finally, every other Pawn is simply
blocked by an enemy piece or Pawn.

Example 5: Common Stalemate Misunderstanding

cuuuuuuuuC One common mistake made in regards to evaluating
(wdwdwdwi} whether or not a given position is stalemate is shown here.
7dndwdQdw} Though the black King is trapped having no legal moves
6wdwdwdKd} there remains other pieces that must move. White will
50wdwdwdw} follow with checkmate on g7, f8 or e8 next move.

&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdwdwd}
%dwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV
The above position is
NOT stalemate

ChessKid.com

Obviously to determine whether or not a position is

stalemate, one should always look at the King's position,
options for the King to move, and whether or not the King is
in check; however, as we learned from the last two
diagrams the King's position and ability to move is
not the only thing that determines stalemate.

Page 6 of 10

Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates and

Stalemate
Instructor's Guide
When teaching the basic checkmate patterns, we recommend that students first memorize
the three steps (may also be referred to as rules or principles) associated with each different
checkmate. The coach's instruction/demonstration on either a demo-board, projector, or in
some other group learning format is most effective when a child has no experience.
Subsequently, students should practice the position with a partner preferably another
student trying to master the same technique alternating offense and defense a minimum of
three to five times.
We recommend having students move quickly from learning stalemate (Part 3) to the practical
Checkmate or Stalemate? Worksheets. Without the immediate application of their newfound
knowledge, the differences between checkmate and stalemate will generally become
confused in a child's mind. Coach's will find themselves answering many raised hands all
with some version of the same question: Is this checkmate? - or perhaps, Am I stalemated
or checkmated?
Practical Notes and Advice Lesson 4:

Referencing the invisible force-field the Queen creates around the enemy King
can help stimulate the imagination and the child's interest level when learning
this basic checkmate pattern (Part 1).

Reminding each student that NO check should be played by the Queen, until
checkmate, can help instill discipline in the child's thought process (Part 1).

Allowing the students to practice this checkmate pattern (Part 2) using only the
two Rooks (without the white King on the board) can help the learning process.
Until the children have developed a better understanding of the pattern, when
stumped, children may reach to move their King rather than make the
necessary effort to realize coordination between the Rooks.

Students should move directly from Part 3 to Checkmate or Stalemate

worksheets ideally before the end of a class/session, while the ideas an
differences between Checkmate and Stalemate are still fresh.

ChessKid.com

Page 7 of 10

Lesson 4
Lesson 4: Checkmate or Stalemate?
In each of these positions, the black King is in either checkmate or stalemate.
Circle the correct answer beneath each diagram.

cuuuuuuuuC
(wiwdwdwd}
7dQdwdwdw}
6wdKdwdwd}
5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdwdWd}
%dwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV

cuuuuuuuuC
(kdwdwdwd}
7dw!wdwdw}
6Kdwdwdwd}
5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdwdwd}
%dwdwdwdw}
,./9EFJM

Circle the correct answer:

Checkmate? or Stalemate?

Circle the correct answer:

Checkmate? or Stalemate?

cuuuuuuuuC
(w4w1w4wi}
7dwgbHw0w}
6wdpdw0wd}
50pdpdwdw}
&wdw)w)Pd}
3dw)wdwdw}
2P)wGwdwd}
%dwIw$wdR}
v,./9EFJMV

cuuuuuuuuC
(wdKdwdwd}
7dwdwdwdw}
6wdwdwdwd}
5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw}
2w$wdwdRd}
%iwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV

Circle the correct answer:

Checkmate? or Stalemate?

Circle the correct answer:

Checkmate? or Stalemate?

ChessKid.com

Page 8 of 10

Lesson 4
Lesson 4: Checkmate or Stalemate?
In each of these positions, the black King is in either checkmate or stalemate.
Circle the correct answer beneath each diagram.

cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwIwdwd}
7dwdwdwdw}
6wdwdwdwd}
5dwdwdbiw}
&wdwdrdwd}
3dwdwdwgw}
2wdwdwdwd}
%dwdwdwdw}
,./9EFJM

cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwdwdwd}
7dwdwdwdw}
6wdwdwdwd}
5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwIw}
2wdwdwdwd}
%dRdwdwiw}
v,./9EFJMV

Circle the correct answer:

Checkmate? or Stalemate?

Circle the correct answer:

Checkmate? or Stalemate?

cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwdwdwi}
7dwdwdwdw}
6wdwdwdKH}
5dwdwGwdw}
&wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdwdwd}
%dwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV

cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwdwdwd}
7dwdwdwdw}
6wdw0wdwd}
5dwdPdwdp}
&wdwdwdw)}
3HKdwdwdw}
2wdwHwdwd}
%iwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV

Circle the correct answer:

Checkmate? or Stalemate?

Circle the correct answer:

Checkmate? or Stalemate?

ChessKid.com

Page 9 of 10

Lesson 4

Basic Checkmates and

Stalemate
Answer Key
Worksheet Page 1 Checkmate or Stalemate?:
Diagram #1 Checkmate
Diagram #2 Checkmate
Diagram #3 Stalemate
Diagram #4 Stalemate

Worksheet Page 2 Checkmate or Stalemate?:

Diagram #1 Stalemate
Diagram #2 Checkmate
Diagram #3 Checkmate
Diagram #4 Stalemate

ChessKid.com

Page 10 of 10