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Anastasia's Mate

Anastasia's mate is a rook mate on the file next to the king, where a knight covers the king's escape square and the rook gives check. The rook takes the pawn next to the king, and the knight covers the king's other escape square.

The finished shape

This is the finished shape. Anastasia's mate is a rook mate on the file next to the king, where a knight covers the king's escape square and the rook gives check.

FEN: 7k/6pR/5N2/8/8/8/8/5K2 b - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . . . . k 8
7 . . . . . . p R 7
6 . . . . . N . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . K . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

The worked example

White plays the mating move here. The rook takes the pawn next to the king, and the knight covers the king's other escape square.

FEN: 7k/6pp/5N2/8/8/8/8/5K1R w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . . . . k 8
7 . . . . . . p p 7
6 . . . . . N . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . K . R 1
  a b c d e f g h

How to prevent it

Black plays h6 first. The pawn move opens an escape square, so the mate no longer works.

FEN: 7k/6pp/5N2/8/8/8/8/5K1R b - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . . . . k 8
7 . . . . . . p p 7
6 . . . . . N . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . K . R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • The rook takes the pawn next to the king, and the knight covers the king's other escape square.
  • The worked example ends with Rxh7.
  • To prevent it, keep a defender on the square next to the king.
  • Black plays h6 first. The pawn move opens an escape square, so the mate no longer works.
  • Check every escape square before you play the mating move, because one open square breaks the mate.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

Find the checkmate in this position.