

Conclusion – Should You Play The Four Move Checkmate?.Why the Four-Move Checkmate is not recommended in serious Tournaments.
#Checkmate in 4 moves how to
#Checkmate in 4 moves free
These include: Scholar’s Mate, Shepherd’s Mate, Children’s Mate, Barber’s Mate, Napoleon’s Plan, Shoemaker’s Mate and School Mate.Learn beginner tactics through our free Fundamental Tactics course! Practice your tactics on Hercules Chess’ practice tools by playing rated puzzles and puzzle rush today.įor some chess players, checkmating a friend in just 4 moves can really give them a boost of confidence and leave them with a feeling of accomplishment. In many countries and languages, the 4-move checkmate is known by another name. In fact, due to her high value, she is vulnerable to tactics and it’s not a good idea for the queen to remain so exposed. Once you know how to defend against the 4-Move Checkmate, you shouldn’t fear it. Alternatively, instead of 3… Qe7, you could also play 3… g6 4.Qf3 Nf6. This move is very effective because it instantly defends the pawn on e5 and also prevents the checkmate by supporting the f7-pawn. If black is aware of the danger, then it’s not too difficult to find a move that will counter white’s idea.ĭiagram above: The simplest way to prevent the 4-Move Checkmate here, is to play 3… Qe7. This is a critical position for black because white is threatening Qxf7#. The first step is to recognize the danger at the right moment.ĭiagram above: This position was reached after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5 Nc6 3.Bc4.

Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid the 4-Move Checkmate if you know what to do. It’s pretty embarrassing to get checkmated in just 4 moves. Clearly the future world champion wasn’t aware of the danger, but he surely learnt his lesson from this game! By the way, the opportunity to play chess often against family-members is a great way for beginners and amateurs to improve their chess! How to Defend Against the 4-Move Checkmate

The triumphant opponent was his own brother.ĭiagram above: This is how Mikhail Tal fell succumbed to the 4-move checkmate (Scholar’s Mate).

The 4-Move Checkmate Can Happen to AnyoneĪccording to this post on, the 4-Move Checkmate is the most common finish to a chess game.Ĭhess corner posted a short game where even Mikhail Tal (who later became world chess champion), succumbed to a variation of the 4-Move Checkmate. The 4-Move Checkmate is a perfect example of this. Right from the start of the game the f7-square (or f2-square for white) is only defended by the king, which makes this an inviting target to attack, particularly if your opponent is careless with their development. The 4-Move Checkmate pattern is based on the weakness of the f7-square/pawn. The Scholar’s Mate is often reached by the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6? 4.Qxf7# Important Note on The 4-Move Checkmate At the same time, the white queen is supported by the bishop on c4. 4-Move Checkmate Exampleĭiagram above: Qxf7# is checkmate because the black king can’t move to a safe square. It should not to be confused with the Fool’s Mate (which is the 2-move checkmate). The 4-Move Checkmate (or Scholar’s Mate) is a very common checkmate pattern among beginners.
