Checkmate · First steps
Fool's Mate
Fool's mate is the fastest checkmate in chess: 1.f3 e5 2.g4?? Qh4#. White moves the f- and g-pawns, which opens the diagonal from h4 to the king, and Black's queen mates on move two.
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touch_appTry it: White moved the f- and g-pawns, opening the diagonal from h4 to White's king. Mate in one.
What is Fool's mate?
Fool's mate is the fastest checkmate in chess: 1.f3 e5 2.g4?? Qh4#. White moves the f- and g-pawns, which opens the diagonal from h4 to the king, and Black's queen mates on move two. It only happens after two weakening pawn moves, so it is easy to avoid.
- Both the f- and g-pawns have moved and the diagonal from the queen to the king (h4-e1 or h5-e8) is open.
- Keep your g-pawn at home after an early f-pawn move: it is the piece that blocks the check on g3 or g6.
The moves, one at a time
Why it works
Qh4#! The queen checks along h4, g3, f2 to the king on e1. White's own pieces fill d1, d2, e2 and f1, the queen covers f2, and no white piece can capture her on h4 or block on g3 or f2. Mate in two moves: the fastest checkmate in chess.
How to stop Fool's mate
Knowing the mate is half of it; the other half is never getting mated. Each position below is one move before Fool's mate lands. Find the move that stops it. Every answer is checked by Stockfish.
quiz2 defending positions from real openings. Find the defence; a wrong try is explained. No account needed.
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Questions people ask
What is the fastest checkmate in chess?add
Fool's mate: 1.f3 e5 2.g4 Qh4#, two moves. White can't be mated faster, and Black can be mated on move three with the same idea (1.e4 f6 2.d4 g5 3.Qh5#).
How do you avoid Fool's mate?add
Don't move your f- and g-pawns early, and never both. If you have played f3 or f4, leave the g-pawn alone: if the queen checks from h4, g3 blocks it.
Does Fool's mate happen in real games?add
Rarely, and almost only between beginners or in very fast games. It is worth learning because the lesson behind it, don't open the lines to your own king, matters in every game.