Anderssen's Mate

In Anderssen's mate a rook checks on the back rank; it is protected by a pawn on g7, which in turn is protected by a bishop on the long diagonal.

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Start
Pieces
Rook + pawn + bishop
Level
Intermediate
Mating side
White
Also known as
anderssen mate, piyon destekli kale matı

Moves

1.Rh8#

1.Rh8 gives check. The rook is protected by the g7 pawn and the pawn by the b2 bishop. The pawn covers f8 and Black's own pawn sits on f7: mate.

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How to recognise Anderssen's Mate

  • A white pawn has advanced to g7.
  • A bishop on the a1–h8 diagonal protects the pawn.
  • The rook arrives on the back rank via the h-file.

How to defend

  • Capture a pawn that reaches g7 immediately.
  • Keep the h-file closed.
Anderssen's Mate: the final position

Frequently asked questions

Who was Anderssen?

German master Adolf Anderssen, famous for 'The Immortal Game' (1851).

How does it differ from a back-rank mate?

In a back-rank mate the king is blocked by its own pawns; in Anderssen's the rook is protected by an enemy pawn.

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Similar checkmate patterns

  • Pillsbury's Mate — In Pillsbury's mate the rook checks along the g-file and a bishop covers h8 from the long diagonal.
  • Blind Swine Mate — In the blind swine mate two rooks doubled on the seventh rank protect each other in front of the king and mate it.
  • Back-Rank Mate — In a back-rank mate the king is trapped behind its own pawns and a rook or queen mates on the last rank.

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