Fiancho Chess

Beginner level

Checkmate Patterns

A pattern-by-pattern study of the checkmates that appear again and again in real games: what each mating net looks like, which pieces it needs, and the warning signs that one is available. Every pattern is followed by training positions with worked solutions.

Level
Beginner
Format
.zip with a PDF workbook and PGN files
Study
Self-paced, self-study
Delivery
Instant download link by email and on screen

Self-study material. This course is a written workbook with PGN files. There is no video, no live instruction, no coaching, and no feedback on your games.

Full contents

What the course covers

The workbook is organized into the parts below. Each part explains its ideas first, shows them in annotated examples, and then gives training positions with worked solutions.

  1. Reading the king’s position

    How to count a king’s escape squares, see which of them are covered, and recognize when a single check would be decisive.

  2. Back-rank mates

    Mates against a king trapped behind its own pawns, the defensive resources that prevent them, and the tactics that remove a defender of the back rank.

  3. Mates with the queen

    Patterns where the queen works with the king, a knight or a bishop to cover the last escape squares, including mates on the edge of the board and in front of a castled king.

  4. Mates with rooks

    Two rooks working together, the rook and king mate, and rooks combining on the seventh and eighth ranks.

  5. Knight and bishop patterns

    Smothered mates, mates along the long diagonal, and patterns where the minor pieces work together against a cramped king.

  6. Opening the king

    Common sacrifices that remove pawn cover or draw the king into the open, with the mating pattern shown at the end of each line.

  7. Mixed training positions

    Positions where the pattern is not named in advance, so you have to recognize it first. Each worked solution covers the defender’s tries as well as the mate.

Inside the workbook

Preview pages

Illustrations of representative pages, showing how the workbook is laid out: a training position, a worked solution and a section from the explanations.

Preview of a training position page: white to moveA workbook page showing a chessboard diagram, white to move, with the task: Find the checkmate.FIANCHO CHESSCHECKMATE PATTERNSTRAINING POSITIONWhite to moveabcdefgh87654321Find the checkmate.The worked solution follows in the solutions section.
Training positionA board diagram with the task stated underneath, the way every training position is set out.
Preview of a worked solution page: Mate on the back rankA workbook page with a small diagram and the worked solution. 1.Rd8# The rook checks along the eighth rank. The king’s own pawns on f7, g7 and h7 take away every escape square. Why it works Black’s rook is busy on the second rank, so nothing can block on e8 or f8 or capture the white rook.FIANCHO CHESSCHECKMATE PATTERNSWORKED SOLUTIONMate on the back rankPOSITIONWhite to moveTHEMEBack-rank mate1.Rd8#The rook checks along the eighth rank.The king’s own pawns on f7, g7 and h7take away every escape square.Why it worksBlack’s rook is busy on the secondrank, so nothing can block on e8 or f8or capture the white rook.
Worked solutionThe full solution line with the defensive tries and a plain-language explanation of each step.
Preview of an explanation page: The back rankA workbook page from the explanations. When a king sits behind its own unmoved pawns, its escape squares are taken by its own army. A rook or queen that reaches the back rank can then give mate, unless a defender covers that rank in time. Key idea: Count the defenders of the back rank. If an attacker arrives there with check and nothing can block or capture, it is mate. A single pawn move that gives the king an escape square, often called a luft, removes the danger.FIANCHO CHESSCHECKMATE PATTERNSEXPLANATIONThe back rankWhen a king sits behind its own unmovedpawns, its escape squares are taken by itsown army. A rook or queen that reaches theback rank can then give mate, unless adefender covers that rank in time.KEY IDEACount the defenders of the back rank. Ifan attacker arrives there with check andnothing can block or capture, it is mate.A single pawn move that gives the kingan escape square, often called a luft,removes the danger.
From the explanationsAn explanation section introducing an idea, with a key point set apart for quick review.

Who it’s for

  • Players who know the rules and want to recognize the standard mating patterns quickly.
  • Players who reach good attacking positions but are unsure how to finish them.
  • Anyone who wants a companion to Tactics Fundamentals with a sharper focus on the king.

Who it isn’t for

  • Complete newcomers still learning how the pieces move.
  • Players looking for a study of long attacking games or opening preparation.
  • Anyone looking for video lessons or personal feedback. This is a self-study workbook.

The download

What’s in the .zip

One download holds the whole course. Open the PDF in any PDF reader and load the PGN files into any chess software or online analysis board that opens PGN files. The FAQ explains how to open both.

  • PDF workbookThe explanations, board diagrams, training positions and fully worked solutions, organized by chapter.
  • PGN filesEvery position and line in the course, so you can load them into any chess software or online analysis board that opens PGN files.

Delivery and refunds

Your download link arrives by email right after payment and is shown on the confirmation screen. Any purchase can be refunded in full within 14 days, no reason required.

Delivery PolicyRefund Policy