How to checkmate in 4 moves in Chess

The 4-move checkmate is the most widely known quick-ending to a chess game.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A chess board
• A set of chess pieces
• An opponent

1. Move your king's pawn forward 1 or 2 spaces (it does not matter which).

2. Move your king's bishop up three squares diagonally.

3. Move your queen diagonally two squares.

4. Move your queen up vertically and take the pawn in front of you opponent's bishop.

Tips & Warnings

• Use this to quickly beat and humiliate novice chess players who believe they are masters.
• This only works if your opponent is a true novice.
• Your opponent can block this checkmate by moving their pawn forward or moving their knight in front of your queen's path, which will result in a loss of your queen if you attempt this in either case.

[csan]

on 2/14/2009 This does not work!

[arrowman]

on 8/21/2007 Step two is not to be recommended when the opponent has moved his queen's pawn or his queen knight's pawn two squares forward. He will then take your bishop on his next move.

[ucpalx]

on 12/28/2006 Step 3: move your queen four moves as an alternative way. This way if black moves out king's knight you will still be able to mate.