Pillsbury's Mate

In Pillsbury's mate the rook checks along the g-file and a bishop covers h8 from the long diagonal. The king's own rook on f8 blocks the escape.

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Start
Pieces
Rook + bishop
Level
Intermediate
Mating side
White
Also known as
pillsbury mate, kale ve fil matı

Moves

1.Rg1#

1.Rg1 checks down the g-file. The b2 bishop covers h8 and g7; the rook on f8 and pawns on f7 and h7 belong to Black: mate.

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How to recognise Pillsbury's Mate

  • The castled king has lost its g-pawn and the g-file is open.
  • A bishop on the a1–h8 diagonal covers h8.

How to defend

  • If your g-pawn is gone, move the rook off f8 to give the king room.
  • Trade the enemy bishop on the long diagonal.
Pillsbury's Mate: the final position

Frequently asked questions

Who was Pillsbury?

American master Harry Nelson Pillsbury (1872–1906), winner of Hastings 1895.

Which piece gives check?

The rook; the bishop only covers escape squares.

Continue with lessons

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.
  • 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.
  • 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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