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King + Queen vs King

King and queen against a lone king is a win, and the mate comes when the queen and the king drive the enemy king to the edge and take every escape square. The queen and the king work together, and the queen takes the squares the king does not cover.

The finished shape

This is the finished shape. King and queen against a lone king is a win, and the mate comes when the queen and the king drive the enemy king to the edge and take every escape square.

FEN: k7/1Q5p/1K6/8/8/8/8/8 b - - 1 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . Q . . . . . 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 queen and the king work together, and the queen takes the squares the king does not cover.

FEN: k7/4Q2p/1K6/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . Q . . p 7
6 . K . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 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: k7/4Q2p/1K6/8/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • The queen and the king work together, and the queen takes the squares the king does not cover.
  • The worked example ends with Qb7.
  • 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.