Learn · Tactical patterns

Boden’s mate

Two bishops on crossing diagonals mate a king boxed in by its own pieces.

Black to play · rated 1004

Find the move

Work it out first, then step through the answer.

Your move
Move 1 of 3
Move 2 of 3
Move 3 of 3
Explanations written by Peek AI

How to spot it

  1. 1

    King castled long

    Its own pieces around it.

  2. 2

    Open the diagonals

    Often with a sacrifice on c3 or c6.

  3. 3

    Two bishops, crossing

    One gives check, the other takes the escape squares.

Train Boden’s mates

Pick the pattern in Puzzles. The board freezes, so you see the whole line first.

See it before you play it

60 of every 100 lost games are a missed tactic.Free to start, no card needed.

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