Show a Checkmate
Set up a chessboard and practice arranging pieces to perform a basic checkmate pattern, learning moves and why the checkmate works.
Step-by-step guide to perform a basic checkmate
Learn How To Checkmate In Chess!
Step 1
Turn the chessboard so the light square is on your right corner nearest you.
Step 2
Clear the board so only three pieces are left: one white king one white rook one black king.
Step 3
Place the black king on a8.
Step 4
Place the white rook on a7.
Step 5
Place the white king on b7.
Step 6
Point to the white rook and say it is giving check to the black king.
Step 7
Point to the square b8 and say why your king controls that square so the black king cannot move there.
Step 8
Point to a7 and say why the black king cannot capture the rook because your king protects the rook.
Step 9
Write one short sentence on your paper that explains why the black king is checkmated in this position.
Step 10
Move the white rook to a6 and watch if the black king can escape to learn the difference between mate and not mate.
Step 11
Reset the pieces back to the checkmate position so you can practice showing it to a friend three times.
Step 12
Take a picture or draw your setup and share your finished checkmate and the sentence you wrote on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
I don't have a chess set or a camera — what can I use instead to complete the activity and share it on DIY.org?
Draw an 8x8 board on paper, use labeled coins or bottle caps for the white king, white rook and black king, and either photograph or scan your drawing to upload to DIY.org.
When I place the pieces the black king seems like it could move to b8 — how do I show that b8 is controlled by the white king?
Point to the white king on b7 (from 'Place the white king on b7') and explain that because a king moves one square diagonally it controls b8 so the black king on a8 cannot move there.
How can I change this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children use oversized drawn squares and stickers and have an adult read and point through the steps (placing pieces on a8, a7, b7), while older kids should write the short sentence, move the rook to a6 to test mate versus not mate, and post their photo on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the checkmate activity after we finish the setup and sentence?
Make it a challenge by timing how fast the child can set up the position at a8/a7/b7, have them take a picture or draw the setup and add a creative one-sentence explanation before sharing it on DIY.org and asking a friend to try the rook-to-a6 test.
Watch videos on how to perform a basic checkmate
CHECK vs CHECKMATE | Learn to Play Chess | Kids Academy
4 Videos
CHECK vs CHECKMATE | Learn to Play Chess | Kids Academy
What Is Checkmate? | Definition and Meaning | Learn to Play Chess for Kids
Checkmate | Chess Terms | ChessKid
The Most BASIC Checkmate: The Ladder Mate | ChessKid
Facts about chess basics for kids
♜ Basic mates like king+rook vs king or queen+king vs king are essential patterns every player learns early.
♟️ The word "checkmate" comes from the Persian phrase "shāh māt," which means "the king is helpless."
⏱️ The fastest possible checkmate, called Fool's Mate, can happen in just two moves (one by each player).
👑 A checkmate ends the game because the king is in check and has no legal move, capture, or block to escape.
🧠 Practicing checkmate patterns boosts pattern recognition and planning — skills that help in puzzles and real games.
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