Chess can be very confusing to a beginner. What should your next move be? And why? This cheat sheet is a training tool that will help you understand what you should try to achieve at various stages of the game. The 4-Move Checkmate pattern is based on the weakness of the f7-square/pawn.
![school mate 2 gif school mate 2 gif](https://media0.giphy.com/media/zPlGxzu027rEELiCFr/giphy.gif)
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 is a perfect example of this. 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.
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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). It’s pretty embarrassing to get checkmated in just 4 moves. Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid the 4-Move Checkmate if you know what to do. 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. This is a critical position for black because white is threatening Qxf7#. 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.
![school mate 2 gif school mate 2 gif](https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1450374858ra/17417796.gif)
This move is very effective because it instantly defends the pawn on e5 and also prevents the checkmate by supporting the f7-pawn. Alternatively, instead of 3… Qe7, you could also play 3… g6 4.Qf3 Nf6. Once you know how to defend against the 4-Move Checkmate, you shouldn’t fear it. 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. In many countries and languages, the 4-move checkmate is known by another name.