Chess Lesson # 4: Check & Checkmate | How to play Chess the right way

Summary

This chess tutorial covers the essential concepts of check and checkmate. The instructor explains how check occurs when a king is under attack and how players must respond with actions like capturing, blocking, or moving the king to safety. The video also introduces checkmate, a situation where the king cannot escape the attack. Through examples, including two-move and four-move checkmates, beginners can grasp the strategies needed to win. The lesson concludes with tips on practicing and developing board vision to improve overall gameplay.

Takeaways

• 😀 Check occurs when one king is under attack by an opposing piece, and the player must take action to move the king out of check.
• 😀 When a king is in check, the player must respond using the CPR method: Capture, Protect, or Run away.
• 😀 Capture (C) allows a player to remove the attacking piece if possible.
• 😀 Protect (P) involves placing a piece between the attacking piece and the king to block the attack.
• 😀 Run (R) involves moving the king to a square where it is no longer under attack.
• 😀 A player cannot move their king into check; it is an illegal move.
• 😀 Checkmate occurs when the king is in check, and there are no legal moves left to escape it.
• 😀 In checkmate, the attacking player has won the game, and the king cannot be saved.
• 😀 The two-move checkmate (Livernod) involves specific moves that lead to an early checkmate by the queen.
• 😀 The four-move checkmate involves using a bishop and queen to corner the opposing king, ultimately leading to checkmate.
• 😀 The key to success in chess is to develop board vision, enabling players to spot threats, attacks, and potential captures quickly.

Q & A

What is the definition of check in chess?

Check in chess occurs when one player's piece is attacking the opponent's king, putting it in danger. The player whose king is in check must immediately respond to get out of check.

Can the king be captured in chess?

No, the king cannot be captured in chess. If a king is in check, the player must move their king or take other actions to protect it, but the king cannot be captured.

What does CPR stand for when a king is in check?

CPR stands for Capture, Protect, and Run. These are the three ways a player can get out of check: by capturing the attacking piece, blocking the attack, or moving the king to a safe square.

What does 'run away' mean when a king is in check?

'Run away' means that the king can move to a square where it is no longer under attack, thus escaping check.

Why can't the king move into check?

A king cannot move into check because that would violate the rule that a king must not be under attack at any time. This is why a move that would place the king in check is illegal.

What is the difference between check and checkmate?

Check occurs when the king is under attack but can still escape. Checkmate, on the other hand, happens when the king is in check and cannot escape or block the attack in any way, leading to the end of the game.

How can checkmate be achieved in just two moves?

Checkmate in two moves, also known as the 'two-move checkmate' or 'Livernod,' can occur if the opponent makes a specific sequence of moves that allow your queen to deliver checkmate in two turns.

What is the four-move checkmate strategy?

The four-move checkmate, often referred to as the 'Fool's Mate,' involves a sequence of moves where the opponent's king is checkmated by a combination of your queen and bishop attacking a weak pawn structure. It typically works against inexperienced players.

In a checkmate scenario, can any piece block the attacking piece?

In some cases, a piece can block the attack, but this depends on the situation. If no piece can block the attacking piece, the player must either capture the attacking piece or move the king to safety.

What is the role of the queen in a checkmate scenario?

The queen is the most powerful piece on the board, capable of attacking in all directions. In many checkmate scenarios, the queen plays a crucial role by restricting the opponent's king's movements and delivering checkmate.