Learn · lesson 8 of 8 · Minor pieces
Bishop and knight mate
The hardest basic mate: it only works in the corner the bishop controls.
White to move: White wins
Minor pieces · Bishop and knight vs. pawns
The position and its key
The hardest basic mate: it only works in the corner the bishop controls.
The verdict
White to move: White wins
The key
Delétang's triangle
Bishop and knight mate
How to recognize it
- King, bishop and knight vs. king
- Mate works only in a corner of the bishop's color
- First to the edge, then drive it into the right corner
- Bishop, knight and king form a fence the king cannot get through
Bishop and knight mate
In our databases
Games in which exactly this kind of position stood on the board – recognized by material and the places of the pieces, each confirmed by the tablebase. Counted from the stronger side's view.
Often comes from these openings
B22 Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation 7 E90 King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation 5 E15 Queen's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation 5 B08 Pirc Defense: Classical Variation 5 A11 Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation 4
Examples – the great players first