Greco's Mate

In Greco's mate a bishop covers g8 from afar while a queen or rook checks down the h-file and mates the cornered king.

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Start
Pieces
Queen + bishop
Level
Intermediate
Mating side
White
Also known as
greco mate, fil ve vezir köşe matı

Moves

1.Qh5#

The c4 bishop covers g8 and Black's g7 pawn blocks the king. 1.Qh5 checks along the h-file and nothing can interpose: mate.

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How to recognise Greco's Mate

  • The king is on h8 with the h-pawn gone or advanced.
  • A bishop on the c4–g8 diagonal covers g8.
  • A queen or rook mates down the open h-file.

How to defend

  • If the h-file opens, don't keep your king on h8.
  • Trade the bishop aiming at g8 or block its diagonal.
Greco's Mate: the final position

Frequently asked questions

Who was Greco?

Gioachino Greco, a 17th-century Italian player whose games were studied for centuries.

Can a rook deliver Greco's mate?

Yes, a rook on the h-file gives the same mate.

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Similar checkmate patterns

  • 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.
  • Damiano's Mate — In Damiano's mate the queen checks on h7, supported by a pawn on g6.
  • Corner Mate — In the corner mate a rook cuts off the g-file and a knight checks the cornered king.

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