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Kill Box Mate

Kill box mate traps the king in a small box, and the rook and the king shrink the box until the king has no escape square. The rook cuts the king off on the back rank, and the white king takes the remaining escape squares.

The finished shape

This is the finished shape. Kill box mate traps the king in a small box, and the rook and the king shrink the box until the king has no escape square.

FEN: k1R5/7p/1K6/8/8/8/8/8 b - - 1 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . R . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . p 7
6 . K . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 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. The rook cuts the king off on the back rank, and the white king takes the remaining escape squares.

FEN: k7/7p/1K6/8/8/8/8/2R5 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . p 7
6 . K . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . 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: k7/7p/1K6/8/8/8/8/2R5 b - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • The rook cuts the king off on the back rank, and the white king takes the remaining escape squares.
  • The worked example ends with Rc8.
  • To prevent it, keep the king near the centre and do not get driven to the edge.
  • 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.