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Double Bishop Mate

Double bishop mate uses two bishops together, and one bishop gives check while the other bishop takes the king's escape square. One bishop gives check, and the other bishop takes the king's last escape square.

The finished shape

This is the finished shape. Double bishop mate uses two bishops together, and one bishop gives check while the other bishop takes the king's escape square.

FEN: k7/1B5p/1K6/4B3/8/8/8/8 b - - 1 1

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

The worked example

White plays the mating move here. One bishop gives check, and the other bishop takes the king's last escape square.

FEN: k7/7p/BK6/4B3/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . p 7
6 B K . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . B . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . 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: k7/7p/BK6/4B3/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • One bishop gives check, and the other bishop takes the king's last escape square.
  • The worked example ends with Bb7.
  • To prevent it, keep the king off the corner and keep an escape square open.
  • 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.