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Finding Checkmate

Start attacking weak kings and deliver checkmates!

Have you ever wondered how strong players know which squares to attack? Do you want to improve your checkmating abilities? Then this course is for you! By learning how to attack weak squares and how to calculate checkmates you will start improving your results. Start winning your games with these checkmates!

Here is what you will learn:

How to identify weak squares
Pawn races and how to calculate them
Checkmate exercises
The importance of king safety
Back rank checkmates!

Pawn Race

When both sides only have kings and pawns it's essential to count how many moves each side will take to promote. Usually whoever gets there first will win the game!

4 min

5 reptes

Back Rank Checkmates

Castling is a good idea, but if the king is on the back rank without other pieces to defend it, it may be vulnerable to a back rank checkmate from a rook or queen.

3 min

5 reptes

Weak Targets: f2 and f7

The f2- and f7- pawns are only defended by the king in the starting position, so they can be subject to attack. A good defensive idea is to castle so that your rook defends the f-pawn.

3 min

5 reptes

King Safety

Never forget to protect your most important piece, the king. A material advantage doesn't matter if there's a checkmate. Be careful to defend potential checkmating squares near your king.

3 min

5 reptes

Don't Just Check

Make sure that a check accomplishes a goal, like helping to mate or preventing your opponent from castling.

4 min

5 reptes

Checkmate in 2 Moves

It's helpful to look at all of the checks for each side and see if there are checkmates or other tactics available on the next move.

3 min

5 reptes