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Scholar's Mate

Scholar's mate is a four-move queen and bishop mate against f7, the weakest square near the king at the start of a game. The queen takes on f7, and the bishop on c4 protects the queen, so the king cannot take it.

The finished shape

This is the finished shape. Scholar's mate is a four-move queen and bishop mate against f7, the weakest square near the king at the start of a game.

FEN: r1bqkb1r/pppp1Qpp/2n2n2/4p3/2B1P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNB1K1NR b KQkq - 0 4

a b c d e f g h
8 r . b q k b . r 8
7 p p p p . Q p p 7
6 . . n . . n . . 6
5 . . . . p . . . 5
4 . . B . P . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P . P P P 2
1 R N B . K . N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

The worked example

Here is the mating move. The queen takes on f7, and the bishop on c4 protects the queen, so the king cannot take it.

FEN: r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/4p2Q/2B1P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNB1K1NR w KQkq - 4 4

a b c d e f g h
8 r . b q k b . r 8
7 p p p p . p p p 7
6 . . n . . n . . 6
5 . . . . p . . Q 5
4 . . B . P . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P . P P P 2
1 R N B . K . N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

How to prevent it

The defender plays g6 instead, and the trap no longer works.

FEN: r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4p2Q/2B1P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNB1K1NR b KQkq - 3 3

a b c d e f g h
8 r . b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p . p p p 7
6 . . n . . . . . 6
5 . . . . p . . Q 5
4 . . B . P . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P . P P P 2
1 R N B . K . N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • The queen takes on f7, and the bishop on c4 protects the queen, so the king cannot take it.
  • The worked example ends with Qxf7.
  • To prevent it, defend f7 early and do not leave the f7 pawn undefended.
  • Black or White plays g6 in the prevention position, and the trap 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.