Scholar's Mate

Scholar's mate is a 4-move checkmate in which the queen and bishop attack f7 together. It is the most common beginner trap and easy to avoid.

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Pieces: Queen + bishop
Level: Beginner
Mating side: White
Also known as: 4 hamlede mat, scholar's mate, f7 matı

Moves

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Qh5 Nf6 4.Qxf7#

White brings the bishop to c4 and the queen to h5, both aiming at f7. Black attacks the queen with 3...Nf6 but forgets f7. 4.Qxf7#: the queen is protected by the bishop and cannot be taken.

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How to recognise Scholar's Mate

The target is f7 (or f2 for White): at the start only the king defends it.
Queen and bishop hit the same square; the protected queen cannot be captured.
An early queen sortie to h5 (or f3) is the warning sign.

How to defend

Against 3.Qh5 defend f7 with 3...g6 or 3...Qe7, then gain time by attacking the queen with ...Nf6.
If the queen comes via f3, ...Nf6 blocks its path to f7.

Frequently asked questions

How do you stop scholar's mate?

When the queen lands on h5, protect e5 (...Nc6) and then defend f7 with ...g6 or ...Qe7. Afterwards attack the early queen and gain development.

Is scholar's mate a good opening?

No. Against a good defence your queen loses time. It works against beginners, but learning development and the centre is worth more.

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Similar checkmate patterns

Fool's Mate — Fool's mate is the shortest checkmate in chess: White weakens the king with the f- and g-pawns and Black's queen mates from h4 in two moves.
Légal's Mate — In Légal's mate White deliberately gives up the queen; when Black takes it, the minor pieces mate the king.
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.

← All checkmate tactics Next: Légal's Mate →