Slam the Last Door

Part of the Checkmate Patterns I section of Coddy's Tactics & Checkmates journey. Lesson 17 of 40.

Sometimes one door is still open, and only his own man can shut it. So offer him something he has to take, on the very square he needs. A queen is a small price for a door: this is the smothering sacrifice.

Try it yourselfBeginner

Position 1 of 7

WatchHis king has one door left. Watch it close.

The starting position.

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All 7 positions

All lessons in Checkmate Patterns I

1The Back Rank

The Sealed King Who Guards the Door?False Luft Puzzles: Back Rank 1 Recap: The Back Rank

4The Smothered Mate

The Cage He BuiltSlam the Last DoorPhilidor's Legacy Puzzles: Smothered Mates Recap: The Smothered Mate

7Mate in One Gauntlet

Gauntlet: Mate in One 1 Gauntlet: Mate in One 2 Gauntlet: Mate in One 3 Gauntlet: Mate in One 4 Gauntlet: Mate in One 5

2Back Rank II

The Block The Supported Door The Overworked Guard Puzzles: Back Rank 2 Recap: Back Rank II

5Hook and Anastasia

Anastasia's Mate The Hook Mate Pull Him onto the File Puzzles: Hook and Anastasia Recap: Hook and Anastasia

8Mate in Two Gauntlet

Gauntlet: Mate in Two 1 Gauntlet: Mate in Two 2 Gauntlet: Mate in Two 3 Gauntlet: Mate in Two 4 Gauntlet: Mate in Two 5

3The Support Mate

Queen on the Doorstep Every Kind of Backer Building the Support Puzzles: Support Mates Recap: The Support Mate

6Ladder and Rook Roller

The Ladder The Seventh and the Eighth The Ladder on Its Side Puzzles: The Rook Roller Recap: Ladder and Roller