King & Two Bishops vs King
EndgameCheckmate TechniqueGoal: checkmate
The position
| ♚ | |||||||
| ♗ | ♗ | ||||||
| ♔ |
White to move and win by checkmate. This is a technique you need to know cold: once you have the method, it works every time.
The idea
Two bishops of opposite colours can force checkmate against a lone king. It is a win in any corner, because between them the bishops control squares of both colours. You need your king to help.
How to do it
- Put the bishops side by side on neighbouring diagonals. Together they form a wall the king cannot cross.
- Advance the wall step by step, forcing the king towards an edge.
- Bring your king up to support the bishops. The king and bishops take away squares from the enemy king together.
- Drive the king into a corner, then give checkmate with a bishop check protected by the king.
Common mistakes
- Moving the bishops apart, which lets the king slip through the gap.
- Leaving a bishop where the enemy king can capture it.
- Forgetting your own king. The bishops cannot do it alone.
Remember
Keep the bishops side by side and walk the king and bishops forward as one unit.