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King + Queen vs King

Beginner Must Know

The easiest basic checkmate. Master this first.

The Goal​

Drive the enemy king to the edge of the board, then deliver checkmate with your king's assistance.

Key Principles​

  1. Restrict the king — Use the queen to cut off squares
  2. Avoid stalemate — Always leave the enemy king a legal move until mate
  3. Bring up your king — The king must help deliver the final blow

The Technique​

Step 1: Restrict with the Queen​

Use the queen to create a barrier, confining the enemy king to a smaller and smaller area.

FEN: 8/8/8/4k3/8/8/8/4K2Q w - - 0 1

White plays Qc6, cutting off the king from the c-file and 6th rank.

Step 2: Drive to the Edge​

Continue restricting until the king reaches the edge.

FEN: 8/4k3/2Q5/8/8/8/4K3/8 w - - 0 1

The king is being pushed toward the 8th rank.

Step 3: Bring Up Your King​

FEN: 4k3/2Q5/8/8/8/4K3/8/8 w - - 0 1

White's king approaches to assist with the checkmate.

Step 4: Deliver Checkmate​

FEN: 4k3/4Q3/4K3/8/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1

Qe7# — The queen delivers checkmate with the king's support.

Stalemate Trap!​

Be careful not to give stalemate:

FEN: k7/8/2K5/8/8/8/8/1Q6 w - - 0 1

Qb6?? would be stalemate! Black's king has no legal move and isn't in check.

Instead, Qb7# — the queen is protected by the king on c6, so this is checkmate.

Practice Positions​

Set up these positions and practice delivering checkmate:

  1. 8/8/8/8/4k3/8/8/4K2Q w - - 0 1 — Standard position
  2. 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/8/Q3K3 w - - 0 1 — King in corner
  3. 8/8/8/3k4/8/8/8/Q3K3 w - - 0 1 — Central king

Goal: Deliver checkmate in under 15 moves from any position.

Summary​

  1. Queen restricts the enemy king
  2. Drive the king to the edge
  3. Bring up your king
  4. Deliver mate (avoid stalemate!)