Fool's Mate

Fool's Mate, also known as the "Two-Move Checkmate", is the quickest possible checkmate in chess. A prime example consists of the moves:

1. f3 e5
2. g4 Qh4#

resulting in the position shown. (The pattern can have slight variations, for example White might play f2–f4 instead of f2–f3 or move the g-pawn first, and Black might play e7–e6 instead of e7–e5.)


a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Fool's Mate – White is checkmated

Read more about Fool's Mate:  Details, Similar Trap

Famous quotes containing the words fool and/or mate:

    I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad—and to travel for it too!
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    I must be the mate of the man I had chosen; and if he would not come to my level, I must go to his.
    Jane Grey Swisshelm (1815–1884)