Two Bishops Checkmate

Two bishops and a king can force checkmate against a lone king. It's harder than the queen or rook mates because the bishops need your king's help and the mate only happens in a corner.

The bishops build a wall

Placed on adjacent diagonals, the two bishops form a barrier the enemy king cannot cross. Advance the wall one diagonal at a time to shrink the king's space.

Bring your king up

The bishops alone can't deliver mate — your king must come forward to take away escape squares. Coordinate king and bishops to herd the enemy king toward a corner.

Mate in the corner

Unlike the queen, two bishops can only mate a king in a corner (any corner, since the bishops cover both colours). Drive the king there, then deliver mate with the bishops on adjacent diagonals and your king guarding the escape.

Watch the clock and the 50-move rule

This mate takes some moves, but it's well within the 50-move limit from any position. Practice it so you don't accidentally stalemate or shuffle aimlessly.

Put it into practice.

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