Lesson 12 - Checkmate!

Method:

1) The teacher models a "checkmate" position on a demonstration chessboard.

2) The students model the "checkmate" manouvre on their chessboard (in pairs).

3) The teacher demonstrates a number of ways in which to "checkmate" an opponent.

4) Students practise playing chess against one another, trying to "checkmate" their opponent during play.

Content:

If a king can escape "check", the player is still alive. If a king cannot escape, then it is considered a "checkmate" and the game is over.

"Check" means the king is under attack.

"Mate" means the king has no means of escape.

"Checkmate" is said when an opponent's king is under attack and cannot escape.

"Checkmate" signals the end of the game and the player who checkmates an opponent wins the game.

Follow-up:

Students practise playing against an opponent or against a computer chess program on the ChessMateOntario website.