Lesson 14 of 16
How to calculate mate in two
Find a first move that works against every reply. Practise a quiet king move and calculate two different finishes.
Calculate both defences
Start with a move that cuts off escape squares. List every legal reply, then find a mating move against each one. A line that depends on Black cooperating is insufficient.
White to move. Which first move forces mate in two? Calculate both of Black’s replies before you continue.
- Kf6 covers g5, g6 and g7. Black can only move to h7 or h5.
- Line A. After …Kh7, Qg7 is mate. The king on f6 protects the queen.
- Line B. After …Kh5, Qg5 is mate. The same king now protects the queen on g5.
Practise on the board
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