Epaulette Mate

In the epaulette mate the king's own rooks stand on both sides, like the epaulettes on a soldier's shoulders. The queen mates from the front.

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Start
Pieces
Queen
Level
Beginner
Mating side
White
Also known as
epaulette mate, apolet matı, iki kale arasında mat

Moves

1.Qe6#

Black's king is on e8 with its rooks on d8 and f8. 1.Qe6 checks down the e-file and also covers d7 and f7. The king's sides are blocked by its own rooks: mate.

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How to recognise Epaulette Mate

  • The king sits between two of its own pieces (usually rooks).
  • The queen checks from two squares in front and covers the diagonal escapes.

How to defend

  • Don't post both rooks on either side of your king.
  • Keep the file in front of your king closed.
Epaulette Mate: the final position

Frequently asked questions

What does epaulette mean?

The shoulder ornament on a military uniform; the rooks beside the king resemble them.

Can other pieces form the epaulettes?

Yes; any two of its own pieces filling the squares beside the king create the same pattern.

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Similar checkmate patterns

  • Swallow's Tail Mate — In the swallow's tail mate the protected queen checks directly in front of the king, and the king's diagonal retreats are blocked by its own pieces.
  • Dovetail Mate — In the dovetail mate the protected queen checks diagonally next to the king, and the one escape the queen doesn't cover is blocked by the king's own piece.
  • 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.

← All checkmate tacticsNext: Boden's Mate →