May 2005


Chess and Tactics07 May 2005 05:21 pm

A smothered mate occurs when a Knight gives checkmate because the opponent’s
pieces block their own King’s escape.

Smothered Mate

This is the starting position for the Smothered Mate.

Smothered Mate

White is in double check from the White Queen and
the White Knight.

Smothered Mate

The Queen sacrifices herself to force the Rook to
g8 removing any possible escape routes for the Black King.

Smothered Mate

The White Knight returns to f7 to give Checkmate.

Chess and Tactics01 May 2005 10:46 am

A corner based mate delivered by the Rook and the Knight working in tandem, the Arabian Mate is one of the earliest on record.