This article looks at whether certain pieces are sufficient to checkmate the enemy king, meaning these are the only pieces left on the board.
If you’re a chess beginner and are asking if these pieces are capable of checkmating the king with other pieces on the board, the answer is yes. All of the pieces except the king can be used to put the enemy king in check or checkmate.
Now, let’s look at some specific piece combinations that might arise in the endgame, and whether they’re strong enough to achieve a checkmate, starting with the title question: Can You Checkmate with King and Bishop?
Can You Checkmate with King and Bishop?
No. You can’t checkmate with a king and bishop. These pieces will result in a draw.
Can You Checkmate with King and Knight?
No. You can’t checkmate with a king and knight. This is a draw.
Can You Checkmate with a King and Rook?
Yes. With proper play, a single rook is sufficient to win. By using the king to support the rook, it’s possible to cut off the board, gradually limiting the enemy king’s movement until the mating position is achieved.
The enemy king needs to be forced to the edge of the board. The rook attacks the occupied row or file and the king prevents the enemy king from moving out. Here’s a typical example:
Can You Checkmate with 2 Rooks?
Yes. This is a common combination in the endgame and it’s fairly simple to mate the king. Beginner games often end up with these pieces, and it’s one of the first mating patterns many players learn. Here’s what it looks like on one edge of the board:
Can You Checkmate with a Knight and Bishop?
Yes. This piece combination can force a checkmate, but only with perfect play, so it’s a difficult one to learn. It’s also a very rare piece combination, so you’ll have to decide if it’s worth putting the effort into mastering this situation when there are many more common positions and combinations in chess that could be studied instead.
To checkmate the enemy king, it must be forced to the edge of the board and then into a corner of the same color as your bishop. The knight will attack the far opposite color square while the king will attack the near opposite color square. To the left is an example of the winning position.
Can You Checkmate with 2 Bishops?
Yes. With both bishops you can control both color squares, allowing you to force the enemy king into a corner. Your king needs to be actively involved to force the checkmate. Here’s a mating position with these pieces:
Can You Checkmate with 2 Knights?
It’s possible, but a checkmate can’t be forced with 2 knights. With proper defensive play, the position is easily drawn. If you’re playing against an amateur who’s moving carelessly, you might be able to win, which involves getting the enemy king into a corner. If you’re on the defending end of this position, you can avoid losing by staying out of the corners.
Can You Checkmate with a Rook and Knight?
Yes. The well known Arabian mate uses the rook and knight to win.
Can You Checkmate with a Pawn?
No. A single pawn can’t force a win. However, if you can promote the pawn to a queen, forcing a win is fairly simple. (see next question)
Can You Checkmate with a King and Queen?
Yes. This is a common pattern that isn’t difficult to learn. Many beginner games conclude with these pieces.
A stalemate is also possible, so this has to be avoided. To win, the enemy king must be forced to the edge of the board. The queen is moved right next to the enemy king, with the support of the friendly king. Here’s one possibility in the picture to the right:
Can You Checkmate Without Check?
No. By definition, a king is in check when it’s checkmated, as checkmate means a king can’t escape check on its next move.
However, if you mean can the checkmate be the first time the king was placed in check during the game, then yes.
Can You Checkmate a King with a King?
No. If the endgame is king vs king, this position is drawn. The king is not capable of delivering check or checkmate under any circumstances.
Can You Checkmate with a Pinned Piece?
Possibly. If the piece is pinned to your king, then no. You can’t put your own king in check, so moving the pinned piece is illegal, even to deliver checkmate to your opponent.
If the piece is pinned to any other piece, like your queen, then yes. Breaking a pin like that is allowed any time, and if your next move wins you the game, there’s no danger to you.
Can You Checkmate Someone While In Check?
No. You must respond to the check threat before you can do anything else. Even if you’re 1 move away from winning, you can’t play this move until your own king is out of check.
Can You Checkmate By Castling?
Yes. If the final position after the castle puts the enemy king in checkmate, you win. However, this is very unlikely to happen.
I hope this has answered the questions of whether you can checkmate with king and bishop or various other combinations.