Morphy's Mate
Morphy's mate is a bishop mate in the corner, where the bishop gives check and a supporting piece takes the king's last escape square. The bishop gives check on the diagonal, and the king's own bishop and pawn fill the other escape squares.
The finished shape
This is the finished shape. Morphy's mate is a bishop mate in the corner, where the bishop gives check and a supporting piece takes the king's last escape square.
FEN: kb6/p7/2B5/8/8/8/8/4K3 b - - 1 1
a b c d e f g h
8 k b . . . . . . 8
7 p . . . . . . . 7
6 . . B . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
a b c d e f g hThe worked example
White plays the mating move here. The bishop gives check on the diagonal, and the king's own bishop and pawn fill the other escape squares.
FEN: kb6/p2B4/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1
a b c d e f g h
8 k b . . . . . . 8
7 p . . B . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
a b c d e f g hHow to prevent it
Black plays a6 first. The pawn move opens an escape square, so the mate no longer works.
FEN: kb6/p2B4/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 b - - 0 1
a b c d e f g h
8 k b . . . . . . 8
7 p . . B . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
a b c d e f g hKey points
- The bishop gives check on the diagonal, and the king's own bishop and pawn fill the other escape squares.
- The worked example ends with Bc6.
- To prevent it, do not leave the king boxed in on the edge with no escape square.
- Black plays a6 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.