rules, tactics, strategies and history

Checkmate With a King and Two Bishops vs. a King

To checkmate with King and two Bishops against King or with Bishop and Knight against King offers no difficulty.

								8
								7
								6
								5
								4
								3
								2
								1
a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

The only thing the player must keep in mind is that he needs its King for the drive. The two pieces are not sufficient to confine the opposing King to the corner. In Diagram 11 for instance, it will be the best policy for White to advance right away with its King in order to prevent Black's King from escaping into the middle of the board. The following play might then ensue:

(1) K-b2, K-b7; (2) K-c3, K-c6; (3) K-d4, K-d6; (4) B-f5, K-c6; (5) B-f4, K-b5; (6) B-e4, K-b4; (7) B-d3, K-b3; (8) B-d2, K-b2; (9) K-c4, K-a3; (10) K-c3, K-a4; 11) K-c2 (not K-b2 which would stalemate Black's King), K-a3; (12) B-b5, K-a2; (13) B-c1, K-a1; (14) B-b2, K-a2; (15) B-c4 mate.