The Sealed King

Part of the Checkmate Patterns I section of Coddy's Tactics & Checkmates journey. Lesson 1 of 40.

The commonest mate in chess needs no trick: a king still behind his unmoved pawns, and one open road to his back rank. Three questions decide it - is the road open, is the roof sealed, and does anyone guard the door?

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Position 1 of 7

WatchThe whole pattern in one move.

The starting position.

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All 7 positions

All lessons in Checkmate Patterns I

1The Back Rank

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

4The Smothered Mate

The Cage He Built Slam the Last Door Philidor'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