Mating patterns is lesson 2 of 2 in Quick practice: discovered attacks and mates, a tactics course suited to players rated around 1400 (club players). Some mates come up again and again. Learn the picture and you will find them over the board. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
Legal's Mate: Black's bishop pins your knight to the queen, or does it? Sacrifice the queen and mate in three.
The black king is surrounded by its own pieces. Smother it!
Philidor's smothered mate: sacrifice your queen so the rook blocks its own king, then mate with the knight.
Worked examples
Legal's Mate: Black's bishop pins your knight to the queen, or does it? Sacrifice the queen and mate in three. Legal's Mate: three minor pieces against a king that has no squares.
More in Quick practice: discovered attacks and mates
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