♞ Chess for kids · printable practice
Checkmate in one move: 15 puzzles with answers
In each puzzle the side to move can give checkmate in one move. White moves unless it says Black; then the board is shown from Black's side. Write your move under the diagram.
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
Move: ____________
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Move: ____________
Answers
- Ra8# · Back-rank mate. The black king is trapped by its own pawns.
- Qb8# or Qa8# or Qg7# or Qh7# · Queen and king together. Bring the queen next to the black king, protected by your king.
- Rg8# · Rook ladder. One rook already guards the 7th rank.
- Rb8# · Two rooks. The rook on the 7th rank cuts the king off.
- Nf7# · Smothered mate. The black king has no squares: its own pieces surround it.
- Qa8# · Queen and bishop. Use the long file to reach the back rank.
- Rg8# · Arabian mate. The knight guards the escape squares.
- Rh8# · King and rook box. The kings face each other. Check along the back rank.
- Qg8# or Qh8# or Qb7# or Qa7# · Queen on the edge. Your king guards the squares next to the black king.
- Nc7# · Knight in the corner. Which knight jump attacks a8?
- c8=Q# · Pawn promotes. A pawn on the last rank becomes a queen.
- Bf3# · Two bishops. One bishop already guards a7. The other needs the long diagonal.
- Qe6# · Epaulette mate. The rooks either side of the king are like epaulettes on a uniform.
- Qd8# · Queen on the back rank. Same back-rank idea, with the queen.
- Qa1# or Qc1# or Qb1# · Black to move. This time you play Black. White's king is boxed in by its pawns.
FAQ
Checkmate puzzles: questions
How should a child use these puzzles?
Set up the position or look at the diagram, find every check, and ask for each: can the king escape, can the attacker be captured, can the check be blocked? Write the move, then check the answer page.
Why do some puzzles have more than one answer?
Sometimes two different moves both give checkmate. Every one of them is listed on the answer page, and any of them counts.
Can my child play these online?
Yes. The same puzzles are in the free Mate in One game, which explains why a wrong move does not work.