Check and Checkmate - Chess Tutorial

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Checkmate occurs when one player's pieces put the other's king in check, and makes it impossible for that player to get out of check. The diagram below illustrates a checkmate position, in which White wins the game. Let's review our 3 ways to get out of check.

• Block the check. In the diagram below, Black has no piece that can fit in-between the White queen and the Black king
• Capture the checking piece. There is no Black piece that threatens the White queen except the king. Black's king may not take the White queen, because the bishop guards the square that the queen is on
• Move away from the check. Black's king has no move to escape the White queen's clutches. The queen guards b5, c5, b3, and c3. The White rook guards a3, a4, and a5. The White bishop guards the queen at c4.

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