Intermediate checkmate · 12 of 12
The double bishop mate
Two bishops side by side on neighbouring diagonals mate a king stuck behind its own pawn.
- Learn how it worksThree examples with Capra. You play each one yourself.Three examples with CapraStart the lesson
- Practise on real puzzlesPractise on puzzles80 double bishop mate puzzles, from easy to very hard.0 of 80 solvedGo to the puzzlesGo to the puzzles
Two bishops, side by side
One bishop takes the long diagonal to the king. The other takes the diagonal next to it and covers the last free square.
The bishop mates
The bishop checks on the long diagonal. The other bishop covers g8.
A rook sacrifice
The rook takes the knight. If the pawn takes back, the long diagonal opens for the bishop.
Two sacrifices on one square
The rook takes the knight first. The queen takes on the same square next, and the long diagonal opens.
Double bishop mates in numbers
Counted from the 284 double bishop mates in our puzzle library, all taken from real games- 1 in 1000
of our puzzles ends with a double bishop mate.
- 73%
of them are mate in 1.
- 58%
of them come in the middlegame.
Which piece makes the first move
- Bishop99%
- Queen1%
- Rook0%
How many moves the mate takes
- Mate in 173%
- Mate in 225%
- Mate in 31%
Good to know
Double bishop mates: common questions
What is a double bishop mate in chess?
A double bishop mate is a checkmate by two bishops on neighbouring diagonals. One bishop gives check, the other covers the square beside the king, and the king's own pawn blocks the last square.
What is the difference between a double bishop mate and Boden's mate?
In a double bishop mate the bishops work side by side, on diagonals that run the same way. In Boden's mate the two diagonals cross in front of the king.
Why does the king need a pawn that has not moved?
A king in the corner has three squares beside it. The bishops cover two of them, and the pawn on h7 or h2 blocks the third. If that pawn has moved, the king can step out.
How do I spot a double bishop mate?
Look for a king in the corner behind its rook pawn, with your two bishops aimed at it from the same side. Then look for a capture or a sacrifice that opens the long diagonal.