Suffocation Mate
Suffocation mate is a knight mate where the king is suffocated by its own pieces, so every escape square is filled and the knight gives check. The knight gives check, and the king's own rook and pawns fill every escape square.
The finished shape
This is the finished shape. Suffocation mate is a knight mate where the king is suffocated by its own pieces, so every escape square is filled and the knight gives check.
FEN: kr6/ppN5/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 b - - 0 1
a b c d e f g h
8 k r . . . . . . 8
7 p p N . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 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 knight gives check, and the king's own rook and pawns fill every escape square.
FEN: kr2N3/ppp5/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1
a b c d e f g h
8 k r . . N . . . 8
7 p p p . . . . . 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 c6 first. The pawn move opens an escape square, so the mate no longer works.
FEN: kr2N3/ppp5/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 b - - 0 1
a b c d e f g h
8 k r . . N . . . 8
7 p p p . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
a b c d e f g hKey points
- The knight gives check, and the king's own rook and pawns fill every escape square.
- The worked example ends with Nc7.
- To prevent it, avoid boxing your own king in with your own pieces.
- Black plays c6 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.