Check and Checkmate - Chess Tutorial

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The object of chess is to "checkmate" your opponent's king. Checkmate is when the king has no legal move, and is in danger of capture by one of the enemy's pieces on the next move.

In the diagram below, black's bishop has just put himself in position to capture White's king on the next move, winning the game. White must escape his opponent's check (it is illegal not to do so). If he cannot, the game is over and White is "checkmated." There are 3 ways to stop the opponent's check.

1. Block the check. In the diagram below, White can block the check by moving the rook on g4 to d4. White is no longer in check after that particular move.
2. Capture the checking piece. White could also capture Black's bishop with the rook on f3.
3. Move away from the check. White may move the king to any safe square (not threatened by an opposing piece). White's options are moving the king to c4, b3, and d2. Notice the White king cannot capture the Black knight because the Black rook would capture the king on the next move