Beginner

11. Check & Checkmate

Learn what check means, how to escape it, and how checkmate wins the game.

Introduction

Check means the king is under attack. Checkmate means the king is under attack and there's no way to escape—game over! Understanding these concepts is essential.

Lesson Content

Try this position

When a piece attacks the enemy king, it's called "check." The opponent must immediately deal with the check—they cannot make any other move.

Try this position

1. ♖︎e1+

Place the rook on e1, directly attacking the king on e8 along the e-file.

Put the black king in check! Move the rook to e1.

Try this position

There are three ways to escape check: (1) Move the king to a safe square. (2) Block the check with another piece. (3) Capture the attacking piece.

Try this position

Checkmate occurs when the king is in check AND none of the three escape methods work. The king cannot move, nothing can block, and nothing can capture the attacker.