The positions and pieces you use to put your opponent in checkmate vary depending on the plays you made in your early and mid-game.
For example, if your opponent has their king on the space e8 and has pawns on d7, e7, and f7, you can move your rook to a8, b8, g8, or h8 to win. You can also win by moving one rook to their back row and your other rook to the row in front of it. That way, they won’t be able to move their king without it getting attacked on the next turn.
For example, you trigger an Arabian Mate if your opponent has a king in h8, and you have a knight at f6 and a rook at either h7 or g8. This strategy works for either player and it doesn’t matter which corner they move the king to.
For example, if your opponent has a king in h8, a rook in g8, and pawns in g7 and h7, you can move your night to f7 to avoid attack and put your opponent in checkmate. Be cautious when setting up a Smothered Mate so your opponent can’t capture your knight. Otherwise, you may lose it and play the rest of the game disadvantaged.
For example, if your opponent had their king on e8, you would position your first pawn on e7, the second pawn on d6, and your king on e6 to force a checkmate.
Experienced chess players usually won’t fall for a Fool’s Mate since they’ll tend to move the pawn at e2 so the king can escape. Fool’s mate may also work if you’re playing white, but it takes 3 turns instead of 2. Open with a pawn to e4. If your opponent moves their pawn to f6, then advance a pawn to d4. If the black player makes a mistake by moving a pawn to g5, then move your king to h5 for a checkmate. [7] X Research source
This is one the most basic chess openings and a quick way to win a game. Even though the king could capture your queen, you’d be able to immediately capture it next turn with your bishop.
You can only use Legal’s Mate if you’re playing as white.
The only way you can win a game with insufficient pieces is if your opponent makes a mistake or allows their piece to be put into check. You might also reach a draw with insufficient material if you and your opponent both have a king and a minor piece (a knight or bishop).
This stops players from moving the same piece back and forth to draw out the game longer than it needs to be.
Many players resign once they realize they’re at a disadvantage so they don’t draw out the game any longer than it needs to. That way, you aren’t wasting time playing a game you know that you’re going to lose. Don’t choose to resign too late or early just because your opponent seems impatient or too tough. If you’re still interested in the game and think you might have a chance, keep playing so you can improve your skills and learn more about the game.
You don’t have to worry about timing out if you’re just playing a casual game with friends. If your opponent doesn’t have enough pieces, like if they only have their king, then they wouldn’t be able to force a checkmate and the game ends in a draw instead.
