FoxyChess › Checkmates › Corner Mate
Corner Mate
A knight mates the king in the corner while a rook (or queen) controls the file next to it. The king's own pawn blocks the last escape square.
How to spot it
If the enemy king is in the corner and you control the neighbouring file, a single knight check can be mate.
How it arises
The enemy king is in the corner, a rook or queen controls the neighbouring file and a knight arrives on f7 (or f2, c2, c7). The king's own pawn on h7 takes away its last square.
A worked example
1.Nf7#. The rook on g1 covers g7 and g8, the pawn on h7 blocks the king, and the knight delivers the check.
How to defend against it
A king in the corner with a pawn on h7 needs the g-file closed. Keep a piece on g7 or g8, or give the king room with …h6.
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