Blackburne's Mate

In Blackburne's mate one bishop covers g7 and h8 from the long diagonal, a knight supports the other bishop and it mates on h7.

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Start
Pieces
Two bishops + knight
Level
Advanced
Mating side
White
Also known as
blackburne mate, iki fil ve at matı

Moves

1.Bh7#

1.Bh7 gives check. The bishop is protected by the g5 knight. The b2 bishop covers g7 and h8, the rook blocks f8 and the pawn blocks f7: mate.

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How to recognise Blackburne's Mate

  • One bishop sits on the long a1–h8 diagonal.
  • The knight on g5 protects h7.
  • The castled king has lost or advanced its g-pawn.

How to defend

  • Don't abandon your g-pawn after castling short; block the long diagonal with a bishop.
  • Kick a knight on g5 (g4) with h6 (h3).
Blackburne's Mate: the final position

Frequently asked questions

Who was Blackburne?

Joseph Henry Blackburne, a 19th-century English master nicknamed 'The Black Death' for his attacking play.

Does it need a queen?

No; two bishops and a knight suffice.

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Similar checkmate patterns

  • Boden's Mate — In Boden's mate two bishops on crossing diagonals mate a king that has castled long.
  • Pillsbury's Mate — In Pillsbury's mate the rook checks along the g-file and a bishop covers h8 from the long diagonal.
  • Morphy's Mate — In Morphy's mate a bishop checks the cornered king along the long diagonal while a rook cuts off the g-file; the king's own h7 pawn blocks the escape.

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