Anastasia's mate: first steps is lesson 5 of 9 in Mating patterns I, a checkmate course suited to players rated around 700 (beginners). A knight covers the escape squares, the king's own pawn blocks the rest, and a rook or queen mates along the edge file. Easier positions to start with. It has 7 interactive exercises: 7 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
White to move: mate in one.
White to move: mate in 2. (3 positions)
Black to move: mate in one.
Black to move: mate in 2.
Black to move: mate in 3.
Worked examples
White to move: mate in one. 1.Rh5#. Anastasia's mate: the rook mated on h5 along the edge, while the knight on e7 covered the escape squares. Checkmate.
White to move: mate in 2. 1.Nd7+ Ka7 2.Qa4#. Anastasia's mate: the queen mated on a4 along the edge, while the knight on d7 covered the escape squares. Mate in 2.
chessGM