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How do I mate thee; let me count the ways - part 1

batgirl
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Part 1: Mating by individual pieces 

Each piece mates in it's own way. Below are common ways each piece does it's job.

 The Queen

The Queen can often give mate with no assistance from minor pieces.

Here are some common patterns everyone should be aware of.

      
                 
                 
           

 

       

 

The Rook

A lone rook generally mates a king on the back rank when the king is somehow prevented from leaving that rank.
When rooks work together, usually one restricts the king while the other delivers mate.

         

 

                  
                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 Bishops sometimes work in tandem 

 

                

     Bishops sometimes criss-cross

 

               Knights, mating alone or in pairs, mate by smothering. The King's escape squares can be blocked physically by one's own pieces, by the opponent's pieces or by controlling those squares. Often the Knight simultaneously checks and controls an escape square.