How to Do Scholar's Mate in Chess

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Play white.

   At this point, someone who has seen Scholar's Mate before will know it's coming.
   
   See the section below for how black can block the ploy at this point. , You can take the F7 pawn using your bishop instead of the queen, but this won't result in checkmate. ,,,, Some examples given are moving the knight G8-H6, or the queen D8-E7 or the queen's bishop C8-E6. , If the Queen is on F3, use F7-F6 or G8-F6.
   
   If the Queen is on H5, however, do not use G7-G6, unless you have a piece on E7 or E6 (in front of the King).
   
   Otherwise, white moves their Queen to E5, forking the Black King and Rook
   - the check must be dealt with, and the white Queen wins the black Rook.
2. 2

   Step 2: e4 - Move your king's pawn forward two squares (E2-E4).

3. 3

   Step 3: Bc4 - Move the king's bishop 3 squares out through the gap

4. 4

   Step 4: so that it threatens your opponent's king-side bishop's pawn

5. 5

   Step 5: the one on square F7 (F1-C4).

6. 6

   Step 6: Qh5 - Move the queen diagonally out 4 squares

7. 7

   Step 7: so that it's also attacking the F7 pawn (D1-H5).

8. 8

   Step 8: Qxf7 - Take the king's bishop's pawn (F7) with your queen.

9. 9

   Step 9: Checkmate!

10. 10

    Step 10: Play your first move however you want.

11. 11

    Step 11: ... d5/e6 - Move your queen's pawn forward two spaces or your king's pawn forward one space

12. 12

    Step 12: so that white's bishop is no longer attacking F7.

13. 13

    Step 13: ... Nh6/Qe7/Be6 - Do anything that protects the square on F7.

14. 14

    Step 14: Alternatively

15. 15

    Step 15: and this is recommended

16. 16

    Step 16: block the Queen's attack on F7.

Detailed Guide

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