How to Use "Fools Mate" in Chess, and Beat It

This article will teach you how to perform a Fool's Mate in chess and also how to block the Fool's Mate.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chess board and pieces

1. Begin by moving the Pawn in front of your King out (E2-E4).

2. Continue by moving your King side Bishop out three spaces (F1-C4), this will threaten your opponent's Pawn at F7.

3. Move your Queen out two spaces (D1-F3), now your opponent's Pawn at F7 is threatened by your Queen as well.

4. Move your Queen to F7, (F3-F7). In most instances, this will cause a checkmate, as your Queen cannot be attacked by your opponent's King, as this will put them in check by your Bishop.

5. Block the Fool's Mate once you see it coming, by moving your Pawn on F7 to F6. This is a temporary fix and can still be defeated. The best block is to move out your King side Knight (G8-H6). This will stop the attack on square F7.

Tips & Warnings

• If your opponent blocks your Fool's Mate, it is still possible to get an easy win. If you threaten your opponent's defending pieces (Knight, Pawn), they will often move having thought they have effectively blocked the Fool's Mate.
• If your Fool's Mate is unsuccessful, you have now exposed your Queen rather early in the game. It is best to keep your opponent on the run rather than have your Queen threatened.