Checkmate Patterns: Complete Guide

The named mating patterns every player must recognise — back-rank, smothered, Anastasia's, Boden's and the basic king-and-piece mates. Drill every main line against an adaptive engine, backed by real Lichess win rates and Stockfish evaluations.

22 variations Avg Stockfish +4.86

Play the main line: Checkmate with King and Queen

Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.

Practice every variation in this family with AI coaching after every game.

Create a free account →

All 22 variations of the Checkmate Patterns

Tactics & Checkmates Checkmate with King and Queen Tactics & Checkmates Checkmate with a Rook Tactics & Checkmates Two Bishops Checkmate Tactics & Checkmates Two Rooks Checkmate Tactics & Checkmates Knight and Bishop Checkmate Tactics & Checkmates Queen and Pawn Checkmate Tactics & Checkmates Harrwitz's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Pillsbury's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Morphy's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Mayet's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Scholar's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Damiano's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Greco's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Blackburn's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Anderssen's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Boden's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Anastasia's Mate Tactics & Checkmates Arabian Mate Tactics & Checkmates Back-Rank Mate Tactics & Checkmates Epaulette Mate Tactics & Checkmates Smothered Mate Tactics & Checkmates Opera Mate

Frequently asked questions about the Checkmate Patterns

What are the main checkmate patterns in chess?

The named mating patterns every player must recognise — back-rank, smothered, Anastasia's, Boden's and the basic king-and-piece mates. Chessy covers 22 of them, each with an interactive board you can practise against the engine.

How do I practise checkmate patterns?

Open any lesson below and play the position out against Chessy's engine — you learn the pattern by executing it, not just reading about it. It's free and needs no signup.

Other opening families