Ideal mate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Michal Dragoun
Phénix 1993

Helpmate in 2 moves (h#2). There are two solutions, both leading to ideal mates.

One of the solutions to the above problem: 1.Re3 Ke6 2.Ke4 Rh4#.

In chess, an ideal mate is a checkmate position that is a special form of model mate. While in a model mate, each piece on the mating player's side (possibly excluding the king and pawns depending on context) participates in the mate, an ideal mate involves all the pieces of the mated player's as well, typically by blocking the mated king's field of movement so that it cannot escape. As in a model mate, an ideal mate also involves the mating pieces attacking the vacant squares around the mated king's exactly once, and not attacking the mated player's other pieces occupying the king's field of movement.

For example, in the second position at right, white delivers an ideal mate. The mate is delivered with the white rook, and the black king cannot stay or move to d5 or d7. The white king prevents the black king from escaping to e5, e6 or e7, while its knight prevents escape to c5 and c7, and the black rook blocks escape to c6, while not being attacked by any of White's pieces.

The very restrictive definition of an ideal mate means that it rarely ends actual chess games, but ideal mates are a common theme in chess problems, like the one at right.

This chess-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.