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Check, checkmate and stalemate

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the side to move where shown. Use a board if it helps, and explain your answer before checking the solutions.

Black to move. The queen on g7 gives check and White’s king on f6 protects it. Black to move.
Black to move. The queen on g7 gives check and White’s king on f6 protects it. Black to move.

  1. Black Kh8; White Kf6, Qg7. Black to move. What is the result?

    ________________________________________________________________

  2. Black Kh8; White Kf7, Qg6. Black to move. What is the result?

    ________________________________________________________________

  3. Name the three ways to answer a check, when legal.

    ________________________________________________________________

  4. Can you block a knight check?

    ________________________________________________________________

Final check

Ask for the one essential difference between mate and stalemate.

Answers: Check, checkmate and stalemate

  1. Black Kh8; White Kf6, Qg7. Black to move. What is the result?

    Checkmate: the queen checks and is protected, and every escape square is covered.

  2. Black Kh8; White Kf7, Qg6. Black to move. What is the result?

    Stalemate: Black has no legal move but is not in check.

  3. Name the three ways to answer a check, when legal.

    Capture the checking piece, block its line, or move the king.

  4. Can you block a knight check?

    No. You must move the king or capture the knight, if legal.

Teaching note

Do not accept “the king is trapped” as a complete mate explanation. Ask whether it is checked. A line check can sometimes be blocked; a knight check cannot.