The classical game of chess, you know, may take hours on end to complete. And disappointingly, it might end in a draw too.
So is there a way to end a game of chess so fast? Is there a 2 move checkmate in chess?
Is there a 2 Move Checkmate in Chess?
Contents
Yes, there is! A 2 move checkmate is also known as a fool’s mate. It’s known this way because this strategy really can’t fool a professional at chess. But it can fool a novice or a beginner at chess. it
The 2-move checkmate is a move that allows the black player to checkmate the white king in just two moves. This is the fastest possible checkmate.
The fool’s mate is a move that relies on two sequential blunders on the white player. It’s not really a strategy that springs from the skill and expertise of the black player. So this type of checkmate can only occur with beginners or during rapid games like blitz chess. In blitz chess, sometimes players can play so fast that they don’t stop to think and thus become vulnerable to mistakes.
However, exploiting the inexperience and blunders of your opponents in chess is a good skill too. It is something that can determine a winner from a loser. This two-move chess cannot help you win the world chess championships, but it can definitely help you gain an advantage over beginners.
How to Play a 2 Move Checkmate
Remember that this 2 move checkmate can only be played by the black side. Here is the way you can play the 2 move checkmate.
- White moves the f pawn to either f3 or f4 on the chessboard. White is usually the first side to start in chess. By moving their pawn to f3 or f4, they open a diagonal kingside line of attack which you can exploit. This opening, also known as the bird opening, is not exactly bad, but if they blunder in their next moves, then it can spell disaster.
- Then as the black player, move your e-pawn to e6. Once this move is made, your queen can move diagonally on the board, but the king remains defended.
- Then your chances of claiming a checkmate all depend if your white opponent moves his g-pawn to g4. The chances that your opponent would make this move are very slim, but if it does happen, then you are in luck.
Interestingly, you can also end the game in a two-move checkmate if the white player moves his g-pawn to g4 and then moves his f-pawn to f4.
- Then finally, you can move in your black queen to h4. It’s a checkmate! The white king is trapped and has no means of escape.
What Are Other Quick Ways to Checkmate?
The 2 move checkmate is not the only way to bring on a fast checkmate. There are also other moves that involve three or four steps. Here they are
The Reverse 2 Move checkmate
This is three-move checkmate that was introduced by the chess prodigy Bobby Fischer. For this, you must be a white player. For this strategy, white must move his d and e pawns to d4 and e4. Then Black must move his f7 pawn to f6 and his g7 pawn to g6. Then the white queen can move to checkmate the black king.
Scholar’s Mate
This type of fast checkmate has four moves and is hence also known as the four-move checkmate. This checkmate only works if you are a white player in chess. In just four moves, the scholar’s mate ends in the white queen taking the pawn at f7 and drawing in a quick checkmate afterward.
From’s Gambit
This type of checkmate is named after Severin From, a Danish chess player. As opposed to the two-move checkmate that relies on chance and blunders to win, the From’s Gambit takes matters to hand. You begin by moving your e-pawn to e5 and letting the white player take your pawn. This leads to the king’s Gambit, which is a more strategic and sophisticated chess attack.
Is There a 2-Move Checkmate in Chess? Summary
Yes, there is a two-move checkmate in chess. But it’s not guaranteed to help you win chess games with professionals. The two-move checkmate, also known as the fool’s mate, relies on chance and the possibility that the player would blunder. Your chances of executing a two-move checkmate are very slim and are only likely with a beginner in chess or in a rapid game like blitz chess.
Also read: What is the stalemate rule in chess and how to avoid it?
*All pics are taken from Unsplash.com
