Learn · Tactical patterns

Smothered mate

A knight mates a king hemmed in by its own pieces.

Black to play · rated 1319

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 in the corner

    Its own pieces around it.

  2. 2

    A knight in range

    One jump from the checking square.

  3. 3

    Force the last piece in

    Often with a queen sacrifice first.

Train smothered mates

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

See it before you play it

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