Consecutive Check Mates

What this book teaches

883 problems, from mate in 1 to mate in 10.

One rule: checks must stay continuous until mate. Skip a check and you are usually on the wrong line.

You are learning to leave the defender no square — one check at a time.

What you will get

• See past one move: how they defend, how you check next
• Spot familiar mates in real games (horse-cannon, stacked cannons, two chariots…)
• Dare to sacrifice — once checks are continuous, lost material no longer matters

Step 1 — Look at their king

Don’t move yet. Ask three questions:

① Which squares can the king still run to? ② Can advisors, elephants, or other pieces still come to the rescue? ③ What is blocking — and what can you borrow?

Know the king’s flight squares before you look for checks.

Step 2 — Find the checks

Only consider checks that lock the path you just saw:

① Which check leaves the king fewer squares? ② Is there a sacrifice? Take it if you can keep checking through to mate ③ Chariot + horse, cannon + pawn… which pieces fit together?

Can’t keep checking? Step back and try another check.

What order to study?

• Mate in 1–2 — warm-up. About 15–20 problems, then move on
• Mate in 3–5 — the main part
• Mate in 6–7 — once you can solve most of 3–5 on your own
• Mate in 8–10 — last, don’t skip ahead

The book is ordered by mate length. After each problem, name the pattern so you remember the shape — not the squares.

Three things when you solve

1. Play it yourself in Solve. Open Study only when truly stuck 2. After every check — ask again: where can the king still run? 3. When done, retell the idea in your head. Review will bring the problem back later

A few problems thought through beat many rushed through.