Lesson · phase 2

Checkmate with Two Queens

The simplest checkmate pattern in chess. Two queens against a lone king, walked to the edge of the board.

Checkmate with Two Queens

. . . . k . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. Q . . . . . .
Q . . . . . . .
. . . . . . K .
Qbb7+!

The queen on b7 cuts off the 7th rank, then deliver mate on rank 8!

. . . . . . . .
. . . k . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
Q . . . . . . .
. Q . . . . K .
Qb6!

We cut off the king as usual then proceed with staircase and deliver checkmate to the black king

How many moves to checkmate black from this position?

. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . k . . .
Q . . . . . . .
. Q . . . . . .
. . . . K . . .
Qbb4+!

Two queens can force checkmate by controlling consecutive ranks. Each queen covers one rank while protecting the other, pushing the king step by step toward the edge. Both queens guard each other while cutting off ranks 3 and 4. The king has no choice but to retreat upward.

. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . k . . .
. . Q . . . . .
. . . Q . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . K . . .
Qce4+!

Without pawns on the board, there is no fixed "up" or "down." The staircase mate works in any direction. Here we push the king sideways toward the h-file. Same staircase technique, but walking the king to the right instead of upward.

. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . k . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
Q Q . . K . . .

Now try against the engine

Drill these positions in spaced repetition

FSRS-6 spaced repetition surfaces only the positions you need to refresh. Free to use.

Get started free →